The Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and Free Women Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) started a vigil in Pirsûs (Suruç) district, which is next to Kobanê city in North and East Syria. Representatives of political parties, civil society organizations and many people participated in the protest.  

 

Hundreds of people gathered on the Kobanê-Pirsûs road despite police attempts to prevent them and made a statement before the vigil. "Rojava rûmeta meye (Rojava is honour)", "Free press cannot be silenced" banners and "We won together, we will defend together" were carried in the statement.

 

'ISOLATION MUST END'

 

DBP Amed (Diyarbakır) Provincial Co-chair Şirin Gürbüz said: "The attacks in Kobanê are also being carried out here. We call out to everyone; let's be united, including the KDP. From the border of Kobanê, we say enough is enough. We salute the resistance of Kobanê. This year will be the year of Abdullah Öcalan's freedom. Open the Imrali doors. If there will be a solution, it will be thanks to Mr. Öcalan's philosophy. We condemn the isolation. A solution depends on the interlocutor and Mr. Öcalan is the interlocutor. The isolation must end immediately.” 

 

'WE SUPPORT THE KURDISH FORCES'

 

DEM Party Riha (Urfa) MP Ömer Öcalan reacted to the murder of Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin and said: “We condemn the murder of journalists. Kurds strive for an honorable peace. We are not enemies of anyone. Kurds want to live in peace in Kurdistan and the Middle East. There was a great struggle against ISIS in Kobanê. The world heard about Kobanê. Kurds want to live equally like all peoples. No one accepts Turkey's policy towards Rojava. There is a war against our brothers in Rojava. Kurds have the right to have status. We support the Kurdish forces. The four parts of Kurdistan should turn tehir attention to Rojava today. Kurds should go to Damascus with a delegation. We are ready for peace. We are conducting a democratic politics. We will defend the rights of our brothers and sisters in Rojava. We did not and will not accept slavery. Regardless of their ideas and thoughts, everyone should strive for unity."

 

STATEMENT FOR NAZIM DAŞTAN AND CİHAN BİLGİN 

 

Journalist Ceylan Şahinli, speaking on behalf of Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) and Mezopotamya Women Journalists Association (MKG) for Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were killed by Turkish UCAV, said: “Our friends were killed for the sake of truth. There was a truth in Rojava and our friends conveyed that truth to us with their news. They were targeted and murdered. Our colleagues who wanted to speak out for our murdered friends were arrested. Defending Nazım and Cihan is a matter of honor for us. We will defend their struggle until the end. We will defend the truth of Nazım and Cihan wherever we go.” 

 

DISK Press Labor Representative Haki Boltan stated that Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan were two journalists who uncovered the truth and said: “They made news for the sake of truth. They held a mirror to the facts that were wanted to be kept in the dark. They were murdered for this cause. The whole world learned what happened with their news. As long as there is a Free Press, the truth will not remain in the dark. We will defend the honor of the journalism profession no matter what the cost.” 

 

The statement ended with the slogans “Şehîd namirin (Martyrs won't die)” and “Nazım û Cîhan rûmeta meye (Nazım and Cihan is our honour)”.