Regarding Diyarbakır mothers' struggle, Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "I believe that the struggle these people put up, the willpower and faith they demonstrate will bring the end of an era, defeat the terrorist organisation and strengthen Türkiye's climate of peace."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun spoke at the opening of the "Symbol of Silent Resistance: Diyarbakır Mothers" Symposium organised by the Directorate and the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) at the Presidency's Directorate of Communications Conference Hall.
Recalling that three years ago in Diyarbakır, mother Hacire broke the windows of a building to save her son, who was abducted in the mountains, from the terrorist organisation PKK, and confront the ones who had taken his son away; and shattered a climate of fear that was actually amplified by perceptions without real basis, Director of Communications Altun said, "As you all know, this building was the HDP Diyarbakır Provincial building. This building was the place that separated mother Hacire and many other families from their children."
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that mother Hacire had said "enough is enough" to the persecution that tens of thousands of families and children have endured so far.
Stating that this brave and honourable resistance, the fuse of which was sparked by mother Hacire, has grown in waves and that since that day in our lives, we have had mothers and fathers who resist persecution for their children and take an unwavering stance against a heinous, armed organisation, Director of Communications Altun said, "I believe that the struggle these people put up, the willpower and faith they demonstrate will bring the end of an era, defeat the terrorist organisation and strengthen Türkiye's climate of peace."
"We lost tens of thousands of our people over the course of 40 years because of the terrorist organisation"
Stating that it was important to keep in mind what kind of process the treacherous terrorist organisation, which ripped families away from their children, killed thousands of members of security forces and citizens, and sought to undermine the unity and integrity of Türkiye, was born and flourished in, Director of Communications Altun went on to say:
"Yesterday was the anniversary of the September 12, 1980 coup. We all know that the September 12 coup and its repercussions brought serious issues and great troubles to our country. While democracy was trampled underfoot, terrorist organisations haunted our nation. We have had to constantly fight against the terrorist organisations that emerged after the coup. We have been through a difficult process since the early 1980s. For years, we have fought against a terrorist organisation that has international connections and is supported openly by some countries and covertly supported by others within the global system. Not only terrorists on the mountain but also civilian-looking terrorists who code themselves in a political guise, unfortunately, terrorised the social life and the political scene. We lost tens of thousands of our people over the course of 40 years because of the terrorist organisation. We endured excruciating anguish. Economically, we suffered a great loss. We always were late in development and advancement."
"Currently, the terrorist organisation has largely lost its influence and power"
Director of Communications Altun also noted that the country was dependent on foreign countries in every respect, given its poor defence industry and that terrorist attacks and terrorist organisations, ranging from the PKK, which emerged after the September 12 coup, to FETO, attempt to thwart every advance made by the country.
Director of Communications Altun pointed out that Türkiye has largely averted the scourge of terrorism owing to the successes gained in the fight against terrorism, particularly in the previous 20 years, and continued:
"With our President's strategy of 'eradicating terrorism at its source,' our security forces have waged an effective and determined fight inside and outside our borders and continue to do so. The terrorist organisation has vanished from view within the country. We have taken a hard line over the terrorists abroad, eliminating the ringleaders of the organisation one by one. Thanks be to Allah, our military industry has expanded, the capabilities of our security units have grown, and our intelligence-gathering ability has increased. We have enhanced our independence in the fight against terrorism, as in other areas, including the economy, foreign policy, defence industry, and energy. Thus, we have evolved into a nation that operates whenever we choose, whenever we deem necessary, and with our resources, rather than depending on the consent of certain states or the opportunities they provide. Now, we are able to neutralise the alleged leaders of terrorist organisations even in locations where they feel safe. Currently, the terrorist organisation has largely lost its influence and power."
Director of Communications Altun indicated that this reduction in the terrorist organisation's executive personnel hastened the organisation's demise and that their struggle will continue until the last terrorist has been neutralised and the terrorist organisation has been eradicated.
"We will never refrain from uncovering the genuine identities of those commanded by the terrorist organisation"
Fahrettin Altun remarked that the more the organisation loses ground, the more it resorts to the terror of lies about Türkiye and said, "Obviously, we are engaged in a resolute fight against this terror of lies and systematic disinformation. We carry out this struggle on all fronts, both domestically and abroad. Meanwhile, our fight continues against both this terrorist organisation and its so-called political extensions. We will never permit those attempting to legitimate terrorist organisations to masquerade themselves as so-called 'democrats'. We will constantly expose the hypocrisy of those who defend the PKK under the guise of human rights. We will never refrain from uncovering the genuine identities of those commanded by the terrorist organisation and who have kept a tight lid on any criticism against it."
"Hundreds of families joined Mother Hacire's courageous and honourable resistance"
Director of Communications Altun stressed that Türkiye's accomplishments in the fight against terrorism, the defence industry, and independent policies are a source of pride and hope for every citizen of our country and added, "These accomplishments have definitely instilled hope and courage in our Diyarbakır mothers. Diyarbakır mothers have consistently remarked that having our state and President on their side is their greatest strength. With this strength, hundreds of families joined the brave and honourable resistance that Mother Hacire began. She received support from all corners of Türkiye. Many families have reunited with their children, and many continue to wait, struggle, and resist with hope."
Noting that this resistance, which originated in Diyarbakır, has also spread throughout the entire region and pushed families to be on the watch for their children in various provinces, Director of Communications Altun said, "So far, 37 families have been reunited with their children during the child watch, in which hundreds of families participated. Undoubtedly, these families' will, patience, and longing for their children led to their reunion. Ayşegül Biçer, one of these mothers, is present with us today. She said she had taken her son "by force" from the PKK. I congratulate her for her struggle, perseverance, and patience. I hope all the waiting families will hug their children again."
"Those impeding Türkiye grow insane as they succeed"
Remarking that the symposium is a sign of respect for these parents' struggle, Director of Communications Altun emphasised that understanding family resistance accurately, assessing it appropriately, and taking the required steps to address it are all crucial.
Saying, "We need to provide every kind of support we can in every field to help our families, who are engaged in a struggle that is uncommonly seen in the world," Director of Communications Altun explained that mothers and families in Diyarbakır who watch over their children shouldn't be left alone and that their voices should be heard in the media, politics, academia, literary and artistic circles, and civil society.
Highlighting how the accomplishments made by the Diyarbakır mothers will benefit Türkiye's peace and tranquillity, Director of Communications Altun added:
"You can rest assured that the members of this atrocious terrorist organisation and their political extension impeding Türkiye will grow insane as they succeed, grow in number, become stronger, achieve their goals, and reunite with their children. Again, rest assured that no force within the country or the global system can break the mothers' hearts. For the past three years, the entire globe has witnessed the outcome and proof of what I have said. We are all witnesses to this process. The most valuable proof of this comes from the families who have been reunited with their children. We can all clearly see how crucial mothers' resistance is in the struggle we wage against terrorism. Wherever we go in the world, we talk about the rightful resistance of these mothers and families on the watch for their children. We strive to explain and present this blessed resistance in different languages on all international platforms. We provide evidence demonstrating the abuse of women and children by the terrorist organisation PKK. We will keep exposing to the world the real nature of the PKK and its extension. "
"Some people have lost their conscience to the point of disregarding these mothers."
Fahrettin Altun emphasised that while families separated from their children by the terrorist organisation fight for their reunion with their children and millions of people throughout the world are praying for their reunion, unfortunately, some people lost their conscience and humanity to the point of disregarding these mothers.
Noting that the political party, which was the political pillar of the terrorist organisation, did what was necessary for its existence, and their ignorance was understandable, Director of Communications Altun stated that this political party could not be expected to act otherwise.
Stating that they had no expectations from these structures, which have almost become "hubs of transferring children to terrorist organisations" and foster hostility instead of politics in party buildings, Director of Communications Altun added:
"However, I strongly condemn those who identify themselves as the opposition of this country to exclude, disregard and even reject the mother's heart, which is the most legitimate, purest and the most element part in the world, for the sake of political pragmatism. Some politicians lack a national stance against this terrorist organisation and its extensions, who have been exploiting us for the past four decades. I want to ask: How can you ignore these mothers who are resisting this brutal terrorist organisation that martyred our soldiers, slaughtered our youth, children, teachers, and workers, and bombed our people in cities? How can you not openly support the reunion of these mothers and their children? How can you not take a clear and firm stance against this terrorist organisation for all these years? How can you not stand with our state, which is fighting against this terrorist organisation that is stealing Türkiye's future, preventing us from reaching our economic potential, and impeding our peace and development? What kind of a system of conscientious, moral, ethical and humane values have you been exposed to that you can remain indifferent to a struggle that mothers have raised with patience and even seek to discredit this struggle?"
"Those who cannot take a national stance on national issues will experience defeat"
Noting that we faced a circumstance unlike any other in the world, Director of Communications Altun said that it was not possible to see such an approach in any civilised country.
Director of Communications Altun said, "Those who cannot take a national stance on national issues will eventually experience defeat in terms of political and social legitimacy. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in this regard in our country. However, our voice is much stronger than it was yesterday against those who cannot internalise democratic politics and democracy and who seek assistance from terrorists, coups, memorandums, and operations that disregard the national will. "
Noting the accomplishments Türkiye has achieved in terms of civil politics, democracy, and development under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Director of Communications Altun said, "As a result of these breakthroughs, our country is making history in all fields ranging from the fight against terrorism to the defence industry, diplomacy to energy, and health to education. I believe history will also record the great, blessed struggle of the Diyarbakır mothers. On that day, those who do not support the Diyarbakır mothers and ignore them will be remembered with shame on the stage of history."
" I believe this struggle will become more prevalent in all facets of popular culture "
Reiterating that the media must enhance the civil resistance of families who are on guard duty for their children and to ensure that they get results, Director of Communications Altun continued as follows:
"However, media tools are the most effective means of offering social support and spreading your message. I believe it is of the utmost importance and value that both the press and social media users have a consistent and stable approach to this sector. These mothers, who wait tirelessly, have established a field of resistance not only for themselves but for all of us. They have been patiently waiting for 1105 days for the peace of all of us and the future of our children. I would like to express my gratitude to our media members who have been patiently waiting with them and keeping this issue on the agenda. I believe this struggle will become more prevalent in all facets of popular culture, including literature, art, and cinema, as well as in all other fields."
Director of Communications Altun stated that the parents, who are on guard day and night in this struggle, which is now in its fourth year, are trying to take their children from this bloody terrorist organisation while giving a message to the global powers that allow and support this terrorist organisation, and concluded his speech with the following:
"They are sending a clear message to the global powers that try to legitimise a handful of marginalised people, spend billions of dollars to make the world accept them and establish so-called cantons. And they say, 'You will be defeated.' No matter how powerful you are, you cannot defeat the hearts of mothers. No power, no system in the world can be as strong, rightful, pure and effective as a mother's heart."
