In the last years, we together have taken important steps in building international networks of solidarity across Europe and beyond, organizing actions, writing letters to key institutions, and truly bring this topic to the forefront of international politics and public opinion. Thanks to all of your efforts, we could partially succeed in our aims. Since the 23rd of December, there has been several meetings with Abdullah Öcalan in which he highlighted the solution to the Kurdish question. Now, to achieve all of our aims, it is necessary to work more together.
Since its initiation in October 2023, the campaign has succeeded in bringing together unions, social movements, lawyers, jurists, political parties, elected officials, artists, intellectuals, activists, Nobel prize winners, and millions of Kurds, building networks of solidarity at both local and international levels. In doing so, it strived to break the isolation of Ocalan and make a just and democratic political solution to Turkey’s century-old Kurdish question possible by enabling his participation in a renewed dialogue.
Through our collective effort in the last year, we succeeded in putting pressure on the Turkish state and international institutions, creating the conditions for which meetings with Mr. Öcalan could begin again. However, as Mr, Öcalan stated in the first meeting held with DEM party representatives this fall, his isolation continues. What has become all the more apparent, is the crucial role of Mr, Öcalan in finding a political solution to the century-old Kurdish question. As the Kurdish question remains the most central contemporary political issue of the Middle East, its peaceful resolution is therefore crucial to peace and stability in the broader region. Further, in providing a paradigmatic approach to many of today’s most pressing social and political crises, Mr, Öcalan’s solutions serve as a roadmap to stability and co-existence in the Middle East.
Despite enormous difficulties, relying on the paradigm of Democratic Confederalism ideated by Öcalan, the people of Rojava have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to build an inclusive society based on principles of democracy, gender equality, and social justice. With the fall of the Assad regime, this experience could be a positive model for the new Syria, however This experience is in danger, threatened by the oppressive policies of the Turkish regime and the constant attacks of its mercenaries.
In order to plan our next steps together and to strengthen our collective efforts, we are organizing a conference in Rome on the 11th and 12th of April. We warmly invite all those who have taken part in this crucial campaign to join us: It is time for the freedom of Öcalan, and a political solution to the Kurdish question!
