ŞIRNAK - HDP Uludere district co-chair Müzeyyen Rüstemoğlu, who said that she was a symbol for the women of Botan with the resistance of Asya Yüksel, who was sent off to eternity five years ago, said that she always rebelled against the oppression and became the symbol of resistance.

 

Cizre People’s Assembly co-chair Asya Yüksel is one of those who lost their lives as a result of the attacks that took place after the declaration of self-government in the Cizre district of Şırnak. During the curfew process that was declared on November 14, 2015, and lasted for 79 days, Asya became one of the symbols of the resistance while resisting until the day the ban ended, saying “I am a mother, how do I leave my children?”

 

She defended women’s freedom

 

Asya's husband, who was married at a young age and has two children, died in a traffic accident 22 years ago. Her brother, Necmettin Urun, was killed in 1995. She first fought against social roles and then defended women's freedom against all kinds of difficulties and oppression. Asya, who also played a role in bringing the place of women to life in Kurdish politics, participated in activities within the Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) in Uludere district of Şırnak in 2005 and actively worked until 2011. She continued her work in provinces such as Siirt and Batman, and she was elected as Cizre People's Assembly Co-chair in 2015.

 

Dozens of people took shelter in the basements of the buildings in the district during the 79-day prohibition period in 2015, when the conflict took place. She was just one of dozens of people. The funeral of Asya, who was killed with the people next to her, was confused with Azime Yıldızgörer, who was killed in the same basement as a result of the wrong identity match made at the Urfa Forensic Medicine Institute. Azime’s family took Azime's funeral and buried her in the village of Düzova.

 

Her funeral was buried with bullets in her body

 

After three months, it was revealed that the funeral buried did not belong to Asya with the result of the DNA test. Upon this, her family buried the funeral of Asya with bullets in her body on May 12, 2016, in Ozeli town of Uludere district, next to her brother Necmettin. She was sent off to eternity with the tune of ‘Jinên azad’, the will of Asya.

 

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Uludere district co-chair Müzeyyen Rüstemoğlu talked about the struggle of Asya and the heritage she left to women.

 

‘Despite the pressure, she never took a step back’

 

Stating that they started to work with Asya in 2009, Müzeyyen stated that Asya always rebelled against feudal ideas. Stating that she knows Asya in political works, Müzeyyen said: “In 2009, Asya was the executive in the party, and I stepped into the political life with her encouragement. At that time, I also took part in the district administration with Asya. We were just the two of us as women. We were conducting political works together in Uludere. She was fond of her case. Despite the pressure, she never took a step back.”

 

‘She became a symbol of resistance’

 

Stating that Asya was a strong and struggling woman, Müzeyyen said: “I got to know the party with Asya. Her seriousness in the struggle affected us all. Asya has always rebelled against persecution. Asya would participate in the work wholeheartedly. She was very popular among the people. Asya has always fought against the persecution of the state. Asya became a symbol for Botan women. We will protect her resistance and struggle. We women will continue her struggle. Asya was a beloved friend of ours and became a symbol of resistance.”