The Diyarbakır Mothers are approaching the five-year mark of their solemn protest, a relentless stand against the abduction of their children by the PKK, a terrorist group known for its operations in southeastern Türkiye and beyond. For nearly half a decade, these mothers have been gathering outside the offices of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), an organisation accused of facilitating the recruitment of Kurdish youth into the ranks of the PKK. Their persistent presence serves as both a symbol of their grief and a cry for justice.
Since September 2019, these mothers have occupied makeshift tents in Diyarbakır, a city long associated with the Kurdish struggle, transforming the protest into a powerful act of resistance. Türkan Mutlu, one of the leading voices in this movement, epitomises the collective anguish. Mutlu’s daughter, Şeyma Ceylan, was taken by PKK militants from Istanbul over a decade ago. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Mutlu recounted how her daughter was stripped of her future, saying, “They took her pen away and handed her a weapon.” For Mutlu and the other mothers, this vigil is more than just a protest—it’s a lifeline, a connection to the children who were stolen from them.
The protest is centred around the HDP headquarters, which the mothers accuse of aiding and abetting the PKK in its recruitment efforts. The women allege that under the guise of cultural events, such as festivals, the HDP lured their children into the PKK’s fold, robbing them of their innocence and futures. This accusation has resonated deeply within Türkiye, where the PKK’s history of violence, including bombings and killings, has left deep scars on the nation’s collective memory.
What began as a small gathering of grieving mothers has grown into a significant movement. The “children watch,” as the mothers have named their vigil, now includes over 375 families, and their cause has gained national attention. Fathers have joined the mothers, and similar protests have sprung up in other eastern provinces of Türkiye and even as far as Germany, where one mother staged a solo sit-in against the PKK’s abduction of her daughter. The growing number of participants and the solidarity they have garnered reflect the profound impact of the protest, both within Türkiye and internationally.
In the nearly five years since the protest began, the Diyarbakır Mothers have achieved notable successes. Some 53 families have been reunited with their children, a testament to the protest’s power and the resolve of the families involved. Many of these children, now in their twenties, managed to escape from the PKK’s northern Iraqi hideouts after learning about their parents’ vigil. Türkiye’s remorse laws have facilitated this process, allowing some defectors from the PKK to reintegrate into society without severe legal consequences, provided they were not involved in lethal terrorist activities.
Despite these successes, many mothers continue to wait, their hopes buoyed by the occasional visits from families who have been reunited with their children. These reunions serve as poignant reminders of what the protest is all about—the unconditional love and unwavering determination of parents who refuse to give up on their children. As the Diyarbakır Mothers approach the five-year anniversary of their protest, their resolve remains as strong as ever.
Rahime Taşçı, another mother participating in the protest, exemplifies this enduring commitment. Her son, Faruk, was only 15 when he was taken by the PKK from the eastern Kars province a decade ago. “The **HDP kidnapped my son and gave him to the PKK,” Taşçı asserts with unwavering conviction. “Even if 100 years pass, I will not let my son go. I will not go home without taking my son.” Her words encapsulate the indomitable spirit of the Diyarbakır Mothers, whose protest continues to shine a light on the dark tactics of the PKK and the HDP’s alleged complicity.
The Diyarbakır Mothers’ protest is a powerful reminder of the human cost of the PKK’s decades-long insurgency. As they near their fifth year of protest, these mothers remain steadfast, their silent vigil a potent symbol of resistance against terrorism and a call for the return of their children.
