Kurdish journalist breaks into tears at terror victims’ event

NICE, FRANCE

A female Kurdish journalist, who lost her father in a PKK/YPG terrorist attack in southwest Turkey, broke into tears while reading a manifesto at the International Congress for Victims of Terrorism in France.

Reading the manifesto at the closing ceremony of the Congress in the French city of Nice, Gulay Demir said: "We, as victims of terror, do not seek hatred and grudge. We want future generations not to experience the persecution carried out by criminals to us."

Demir, a correspondent of Istanbul-based Kurdish-language broadcaster TRT Kurdi, lost her father in a PKK/YPG terrorist attack in Nusaybin district of Mardin province in October.

"I believe that by working together with head of the states and victims, we will be able to prevent this pain from becoming eternal," she said.

"We will be able to achieve to raise hope of a better world. I miss you so much, Dad," she added.

The congress, a joint effort by AFVT and Nice municipality, ended with the reading of the manifesto in 14 languages by 14 terror victims, including Demir.

The Congress was held to make the voices of victims of terrorism heard, to ensure that relatives of terror victims from various countries get to know each other and to draw the attention of authorities to the importance of continuing efforts for victims.

Victims of terrorism made speeches, and panels, cultural and artistic activities were held during the Congress.

More than 700 participants from 80 countries, including 450 terror victims, participated in the congress.

The victims from Turkey apprised the participants and the international media about the dangers of Daesh/ISIS, PKK/YPG and FETO terrorist organizations.

The congress called on the international community not to discriminate among terrorist organizations.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.