March in Derbasiyah demands prisoners' release, handover of martyrs' bodies

Derbasiyah city witnessed a mass rally on Wednesday demanding the release of prisoners and the return of the martyrs' corpses, amid wide participation from the city's residents, members of civil institutions, councils, and youth and women's movements.

The march began at Ras al-Ain Roundabout, with the participants holding banners on which "We want freedom for the prisoners" and "Release our prisoners" were written, while chanting slogans demanding an end to the suffering of the detainees and the disclosure of their fate.

Upon reaching the city's main market, the march transformed into a protest, during which a statement was read in two languages; Kurdish by Sulafa Semo; the administrator in the Kongra Star, and Arabic by Nada Hussein; the member of the Martyrs' Families Council.

The statement included, "We, the prisoners' families, members of institutions, and the people of Derbasiyah, declare in the loudest voice our categorical rejection of the continued detention of our sons in the prisons of the Interim Government. We affirm that silence towards their suffering is no longer acceptable, and that their cause has become a matter of dignity and existence."

The statement added, "The prisoners were not criminals; rather, they were at the forefront of defending their people, standing against danger in defense of their land and dignity." It considered their arrest today "a blatant injustice."

The statement indicated that testimonies from several recently released prisoners revealed that the prisoners were subjected to torture, ill-treatment, and inhumane violations within the prisons.

It noted that "the issue of the martyrs is no less important than the issue of the prisoners," and demanded "the immediate and unconditional handover of the martyrs' corpses."

It stressed "the martyrs' great sanctity and symbolism; and they are a red line that cannot be crossed, for they represent the dignity and sacrifices of the people."

The statement affirmed a number of demands, most notably; "The immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners, putting an end to all forms of torture and abuse within prisons, the opening of an independent international investigation into the violations committed against detainees, allowing international organizations to visit prisons and assess the conditions of prisoners, and the handover of the martyrs' bodies to their families with respect for their sanctity and dignity."

The demonstration concluded affirming the continuation of activities until the prisoners are released and the martyrs' bodies are deliver3ed to their families.

ANHA