ISTANBUL – The Saturday Mothers and human rights defenders commemorated Rıdvan Karakoç and Hasan Ocak, who were killed under custody, by their graves during the International Week of Struggle Against Enforced Disappearances. The vigil emphasized: “This state must be held accountable, and one day, it will be.”
As part of the 17–31 May International Week of Struggle Against Enforced Disappearances, the Saturday Mothers and the Human Rights Association (İHD) visited the Gazi Cemetery in Istanbul’s Sultangazi district, where the graves of Rıdvan Karakoç and Hasan Ocak are located. Families of the disappeared were joined by representatives of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), the Democratic Alevi Associations (DAD), and ANYAKAY-DER.
A banner reading “Impunity breeds repetition – we demand justice” was displayed, alongside photographs of the disappeared and red carnations. Slogans such as “Rıdvan Karakoç is immortal,” “Hasan Ocak is immortal,” and “Şehîd namirin” echoed through the cemetery. The commemoration began at Karakoç’s grave.
‘OUR CASE FILE HAS BEEN BURIED IN STATE ARCHIVES FOR 30 YEARS’
Speaking at the grave, Hasan Karakoç, the brother of Rıdvan, emphasized the family’s three-decade-long struggle for truth and justice. “Rıdvan was murdered while fighting for a better future for the people of Kurdistan. Deep forces within the state detained him without question and subjected him to one of the most brutal torture methods in history. His body was nearly erased, like thousands of others. Our case has been sitting in the state’s archives for 30 years without a single step forward. Even if another 30 years pass, we will not give up this struggle,” he said.
‘THE STATE WILL HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT’
Human rights lawyer Eren Keskin, who was also a close friend of Rıdvan Karakoç, underlined the political identity of the disappeared: “Rıdvan was a revolutionary. He struggled for the freedom of the Kurdish people. This must not be forgotten. No matter how much the political climate may seem to change, we will not stop searching for our disappeared. The state will one day have to give an account for its crimes. As human rights defenders, we are committed to that accountability.”
Following the speeches, carnations were placed on Karakoç’s grave and prayers were offered.
‘WE FOUND HASAN IN THE CEMETERY OF THE NAMELESS’
The group then visited the grave of Hasan Ocak. Photos of other victims of extrajudicial killings were placed around the grave. His brother, Ali Ocak, recalled: “Hasan was taken from us as he resisted the counter-guerrilla massacres during the Gazi Massacre. We found his body 58 days later in the cemetery of the nameless. In his name, we continue this struggle against those who perpetuate dirty wars.”
‘THEIR LEGACY IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY’
DEM Party MP Kezban Konukçu stated: “Those we lost knew the risks they faced in their struggle. They knew that if democracy was to come to this country, it would come through resistance. Their legacy is now our responsibility. We must confront the state mentality that murdered them and build real democracy.”
‘GALATASARAY SQUARE MUST BE LIBERATED’
ESP Co-Chair Deputy Sezin Uçar noted the power of collective struggle: “Just as the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo have become a symbol in Latin America, the Saturday Mothers are a center of resistance here. Despite weekly detentions and police violence, human rights defenders have held their ground. Thanks to joint struggle, we’ve managed to push back the state’s enforced disappearance policy — but the fight for justice continues. Galatasaray Square must be fully liberated.”