Don’t leave Makbule Kazmay alone!

Urgent appeal for support

While activities for peace and human rights are spreading worldwide, we unfortunately are still confronted with forcible encroachments. In these events basic human rights of many people- women, men and children are be overridden and many of them loose their lives.

Once again an incident happened on November 21th, 2004 in Turkey. Makbule Kaymaz from Kiziltepe in the province Mardin lost her husband and her twelve year old son by an encroachment of the national security forces. Truck- driver Ahmet Kaymaz  and his son Uğur Kaymaz (12) were killed on 21 of November on Turgut- Ozal Street in Kiziltepe during a police operation. After the occurrence 13 bullets were removed from little Uğur’s body and 9 bullets from his fathers body.  

In Statements of the Turkish national security forces Ugur and his father were declared as “terrorists”. In contrast, investigations of IHD (Turkish Human Rights Association), the Commission of Human Rights of the Turkish Parliament, of different NGOs and miscellaneous political parties indicate that this occurrence has to be considered as an “extra- legal execution.”

Makbule Kaymaz, mother of 4 children, explained the occurrence in the following way: “In the evening I was preparing the dinner around half past 4. My husband wanted to bring some things like blankets to the truck together with my son. Shortly after they were going out on the street, shots could be heart. We were anxious and run to the yard  of our neighbours. Shortly afterwards we heard another shots. At this moment I saw my son in front of the truck has gone on his knees, with his head leant forward he sat down over there. It was dark but I recognized him by his white trousers. I was in fear and went in our neighbours house. Afterwards I once again heard shots.”

Makbule Kaymaz is one of thousands of women, who is affected by the policy of force from the Turkish government. On one hand it is important to mark out the responsibilities of these incidents. Contemporary campaigns against war and violence give evidence of public solicitude. It is our responsibility to express our solidarity with the victims of violence in every sense and to give our support. The family Kaymaz have earned their living with Ahmet Kaymazs income as truck driver. In consequence of the murder of her husband  the widow Makbule Kaymaz and her remaining 3 children are, in addition to their mourning for bereavement of their dependants, still also in seriously financial difficulties.

We, the International Free Women’s Foundation, don’t want leave women alone, who are affected by war and violence. In this current case we appeal for an international campaign for solidarity with the Kurdish woman and mother Makbule Kaymaz. We are pleased of any support, ideally or material. Declarations of solidarity and donations to ensure livelihood of Makbule Kaymaz and her children will directly be passed to the bereaved.

For a donation see our bank-account below.

International Free Women’s Foundation
Rotterdam, 23-11-2004

International Free Women’s Foundation
Willebrordusplein   10A  -  NL-3037 TC Rotterdam 

Postbank N.V.: 621 85 45 -  Keyword: “UGUR”
IBAN: NL84   PSTB 000 621 85 45   BIC: PSTBNL 21