It has been 9 years since the deaths of Sêvê Demir, Fatma Uyar and Pakize Nayır, who were murdered during the curfews declared in Silopi district of Şirnex (Şırnak) between 2015-2016. The 3 women, who packed a huge struggle into their short lives, left behind a passion for freedom.

 

SÊVÊ DEMİR

 

Sêvê Demir, who started to take part in the struggle at a young age, participated in many demonstrations for the freedom of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who was handed over to Turkey on 15 February 1999 with an international conspiracy. She took part in the activities of many political parties starting from HADEP, and with the establishment of the Democratic Free Women's Movement (DÖKH), she started to take part in the women's liberation struggle. She was one of the women who participated in the indefinite hunger strike against the İmralı isolation in prisons in 2012. After her release from prison, she continued her struggle from where she left off. During the curfews, she moved to the Botan region and took an active part in the struggle until her death.

 

FATMA UYAR

 

Born on 28 August 1988 in Dihok village of Şirnex, Fatma Uyar left school in the 5th grade of primary school. At the age of 12, she joined the struggle. She took part in youth assemblies in the early 2000s and was arrested in 2009. She was released after 5 years and 3 months of imprisonment. She worked mostly in Serhat and Botan regions, and was actively involved in the work of KJA when she was murdered.

 

PAKİZE NAYIR

 

Pakize Nayır was one of the women born in lands where the struggle was always active. Born in 1990 in the village of Ziristan in Silopi, Pakize Nayır, like Fatma Uyar, attended primary school until the 5th grade. She worked as an agricultural labourer in different cities for years, and opened a hairdresser's shop in her hometown. During the ISIS attacks on Kobanê, like many other Kurds, she actively participated in the work. After taking part in political party activities for a while, she was elected co-chair of Silopiya People's Assembly. Like Sêvê Demir and Fatma Uyar, she stood by the people and led the resistance.

 

All 3 women became the symbol of a new beginning, not an end, on the day they were murdered. On the anniversary of their deaths, their struggle friends talked about Sêvê Demir, Pakize Nayır and Fatma Uyar.

 

'PIONEERS OF STRUGGLE ARE WOMEN'

 

 

Adalet Fidan, the spokesperson of the Free Women's Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) in Şirnex, conveyed the determination of 3 women she worked with to fight as follows: "In the four parts of Kurdistan, there has been a tremendous resistance for more than 40 years. In this centuries-old history of struggle, women have put up an important resistance. Women have been the subjects and pioneers of this struggle. Sêvê, Pakize and Fatma are 3 women who played a role in this. We can see that the sovereigns have seen women's resistance and struggle as a threat throughout history. This has never changed and pioneering women have always been murdered."

 

Adalet Fidan said that the legacy of struggle left by the three women spread to four parts of Kurdistan and added: "Many women who were influenced by their struggle joined the struggle. The struggle of them still continues."

 

'WE WILL CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF STRUGGLE'

 

 

Peace Mother Zeynep Beğenir, who is working with the three women, emphasised that they will never forget their struggle friends. Referring to what happened during the bans, Zeynep Beğenir stated the following: "If the world could see what we witnessed, maybe they would know and understand what we suffered. 9 years ago, people here demanded peace, equality and freedom. However, this state massacred women, children, old and young people. When our three women friends were massacred, everyone closed their eyes and ears. We were blockaded for 26 days. Our friends were deliberately targeted and their bodies were tortured. Their comradeship and their commitment to the struggle will never be forgotten. I first got to know Fatma, then we met Sêvê and Pakize. Fatma had just been released from prison when she came here. Before that, she was involved in youth work. She recognised the party at a young age and took her responsibility. These friends were politicians. Their murder was an indication of how much they feared women. As long as we exist, we will carry out their trials and continue the legacy of struggle left behind."

 

'PERPETRATORS ARE PROTECTED'

 

 

Besê Ceviz, who led the struggle with Sêvê Demir, Fatma Uyar and Pakize Nayır, emphasised that organised pioneering women have been targeted throughout history. Besê Ceviz said: "We were on the 22nd day of the blockade. Sêvê cut in front of those who were leaving and said 'do not leave your house'. After these words, they were murdered while going to another neighbourhood. 9 years have passed but still the perpetrators have not been tried. However, the perpetrators are known, but they are protected. I knew and worked with all three of them, they were valuable and struggling friends. Their struggle and labour are sacred for us. Because they fought for this people and this land. We will increase the struggle in their footsteps."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut