Together with the start of the International Weeks Against Disappearances, many actions take place between May 17-31 in different cities of Turkey/Northern Kurdistan and Europe.
In Istanbul, the actions were started with a press release of the International Committee Against Disappearances ( ICAD ), the Solidarity Association With The Relatives Of The Disappeared ( YAKAY-DER ) and the Human Rights Association IHD in front of the Galatasaray High School on May 17.
On May 19, the relatives of the disappeared hold a sit-in at the Galatasaray Square where every Saturday sit-ins had been realized after the disappearance of Hasan Ocak in 1995. They also demanded the sentencing of those responsible for the disappearances.
At the action Emine Ocak, mother of Hasan Ocak; Maside Ocak, sister of Hasan Ocak; Hasan Karakoc, brother of the disappeared Ridvan Karakoc; Hanim Tosun, wife of the disappeared Fehmi Tosun hold speeches in which they all declared that the struggle will continue and that they demand an account for the 1250 disappeared.
The relatives carried pictures of the disappeared and shouted slogans such as "Those responsible for disappearances will lose", "The mothers` rage will strangle the murderers" and "Those responsible must be punished".
On the same day, relatives of the disappeared came together following an appeal by ICAD, YAKAY-DER and the Socialist Platform of the Oppressed ( ESP ) for a commemoration at the graves of Hasan Ocak and Ridvan Karakoc in Gazi , Istanbul. The bodies of Hasan Ocak and Ridvan Karakoc had been found at the cemetery for unknown people in 1995 after a huge campaign was carried out.
200 people gathered at the Gazi Cemevi (place for Alevites for praying) and marched to the cemetery holding a banner saying "Those responsible for disappearances will lose. We demand an account!". And pictures of the disappeared.
At the commemoration YAKAY-DER, ESP, ICAD and IHD hold speeches stressing that it is the state responsible for disappearances. A call for the common struggle for an equal and honourable life was also made meaning there will be no more disappeared.
The militants of our party MLCP were also present and shouted slogans such as "The day will come and the murderers will have to render account to the party!" and "For the victory of the revolution, long live our party MLCP".
The Adana branch of IHD declared at a press statement on May 19 that while those responsible are not sentenced, dozens of trials were opened to sentence the relatives who demand an account.
In Antakya, the ESP organised an action calling the workers and labourers to demand an account of the murderers and to strengthen the struggle for work, freedom and justice.
The Izmir branch of IHD organised an action in front of the former branch of Sümerbank in Konak, on May 17. They laid down carnations and shoes representing the disappeared.
In Kocaeli, the ESP organised an action joined by different parties such as SDP , EHP , EMEP , DHP, Halkevi, the magazine Ekim Gencligi and the trade unions Dev Sağlık- İş and BES . All participants demanded: "The murderers shall be caught and asked to render account, the murderer junta shall be judged and sentenced."
In context with the International Weeks Against Disappearances, ICAD also organises actions in London, Bern and Berlin.