March 5, 2001

From: Turkan Aksu turkander@yahoo.com
Subject: 8th of March, The World Women's Day...

To the Public Opinion...

On 8th of March the World Women's Day, on behalf of all the mistreated women bearing the agony of terrorism in their hearts, we urge everyone with a common sense to act with solidarity against terrorism and to struggle together to maintain the atmosphere of peace and comfort.

Separatist acts of terror have been the most significant problem hindering the social, political, economic developments and democratization processes of countries today. To urgently halt terrorism, which has become an increasingly dangerous threat to the world, will only be possible through international solidarity against terrorism.

Our women, quite familiar with the catastrophe of terrorism, have suffered indefinably. We have lost thousands of our citizens, including children and women, because of terrorism.

The resolute and successful struggle against terrorism is maintained in Turkey. However, it is a fact that the final achievement could only be reached through international cooperation and solidarity.

We urge all mothers and women to struggle against terrorist organizations, which have caused the death of our children by means of inhuman acts, by crying "war", "resistance" and "vengeance" to maintain their reign in the prisons.

Today, we call out to the terrorist organizations one more time: We will not let you abuse our children and risk their lives for your imaginary goals and interests. We will struggle for their rights and be by their side.

Democracy accepts divergences, however it is not the function of democracy or to the benefit of the society to institutionalize these divergences and turn them into elements of separation. It is not a realistic attitude to put democratization in an axis of ethnic problems. It will not back up democratization, either.

Our women, who will not allow the ones striving to upset the atmosphere of peace in Turkey, deem it necessary to underline an important point:

Democracy requires to compromise even though the ethnic cultures may differ. Everyone must struggle to maintain the atmosphere of peace in order to gain democratic rights without resorting to terrorism, keeping in mind the grave experiences of the past. The ones struggling for democracy must exert themselves to resolve the problems consenting the superiority of the law.

All citizens are equal in Turkey. The Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey stipulates that, "Everybody is equal in front of the law, regardless of his language, race, color, political view, philosophical belief, religion and similar aspects. No person, family, group or class can be granted any privileges". Based on this principle, all of our citizens can freely participate in all spheres of political, economic and cultural life.

Turkey, albeit having some problems, is a secular country based on Western style individual rights and freedoms, and a free market economy. There exists a vast potential in Turkey struggling to convey the democratic system and the developments regarding the human rights to a desired level. The initiatives to realize the reforms aiming an integration with the European Union are going on intensively.

The maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East, the Caucasus and the Balkans can only be materialized by means of supporting Turkey's struggle against terrorism.

We urge the national and international public opinion to be sensitive to the terrorist organizations, while once again reminding the fact that terrorism is the greatest obstacle in front of democracy, human rights, secularism and social welfare!..

A resolute struggle against terrorism will inevitably become successful had there be no concessions given to the terrorist organizations. This is not only a requirement of international responsibilities and commitments, but also the obligation of humanity to the spirits of thousands of innocent women, children and old people who have lost their lives in terrorist acts.

On 8th of March the World Women's Day, we urge not only the women but also everyone with common sense to struggle with us in order to create a world in which people are not killed, and peace, friendship and democracy rule.

Yours respectfully.

Türkan Aksu
General Director of
Turkish Mothers Association

Note from Sema Karaoglu: We regret to inform you that Ms. Aksu recently passed away. Our condolences to her family, Turkish Mothers Association as well as all the Turkish women.


Sema Karaoglu