“Until Death We Do Not Part”

The Association of Human Rights and Solidarity for the Oppressed (MAZLUMDER) launched a "Justice Watch" campaign for the victims of last week's lethal blast in the southeastern province of Antep. Noting the difference in people's reactions to MAZLUMDER's campaign for last year's Roboski massacre, however, campaign volunteer Birgül Aktar said all the violence was taking place because we distinguish between people's deaths.

"One must perceive a human being as a human being. I am against the killing of people. I was here for those massacred in Roboski, [just as] I am here [now] for those massacred in Antep," said Birgül Aktar, a high school student and a MAZLUMDER volunteer.

MAZLUMDER's "Justice Watch" campaign is set to last for 10 days in Ankara. The campaign calls for the perpetrators of the blast in Antep on Aug. 21 that cost the lives of 10 people, including four children, to be brought to justice.

Visitors express their sentiments about the incident by writing in a notebook on the campaign booth. Comments include condemnations of the attack, as well as calls for the culprits to be uncovered.

Aktar said they had received both favorable and unfavorable reactions from people:

"Some tell us to bring out the martyrs instead, while others tell us not to blow things out of proportion. Yet others show appreciation [for our initiative,]" she said.

Nevertheless, Aktar also pointed out they had encountered more unfavorable reactions during their campaign for the victims of the Roboski massacre.

On Dec. 28, 2011, Turkish Air Force jets launched an ill-fated strike in the district of Uludere in the southeasten province of Şırnak. Some 34 civilians from the villages of Roboski (Ortasu) and Bujeh (Gülyazı,) 28 of them being from the same family, lost their lives in consequence of the botched air strike. The parties responsible for the disaster are yet to be called to account.

"In fact, everything is taking place because we distinguish between people's deaths," Aktar said.

"Unfortunately, some people who exhibited interest in the booth we set up after the Roboski massacre are also less interested in the attack in Antep," she added.

"May this war finally come to an end," said Deniz Yalın, another volunteer preparing for university exams, and expressed his desire for dialogue to prevail over the sound of guns:

"Massacres took place in Turkey from Sivas to Çorum and a host of other places. Massacres are still taking place today. Turkey just keeps going around in circles. Enough is enough!" (SK/HK)