NURŞAN EBDÎ

Kobanê- Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has been completely isolated from the world in the prison island of Imrali since February 15, 1999. The Turkish state has violated international law and all conventions by imposing an isolation on him. On October 10, 2023, an international campaign demanding “freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question” was launched. On December 28, 2024, the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder met Abdullah Öcalan in the prison.

 “An aggravated isolation has been imposed on Abdullah Öcalan since the international conspiracy,” Hadla Hassan, Co-chair of the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) in Kobanê, said in an interview with NuJINHA. “For many years, the Turkish authorities have not allowed leader Abdullah Öcalan to meet his lawyers and family members by inflicting disciplinary punishments against him. This practice is a violation of the international conventions protecting prisoners’ rights. The philosophy of leader Öcalan is the key to solving all global problems. Therefore, the Turkish authorities have aggravated the isolation imposed on him.”

‘The walls of Imrali were broken down’

Hadla Hassan also commented on the international campaign demanding “freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question”. “The campaign was launched in 74 countries with the support of members of NGOs, unions, political parties and writers, Nobel Laureates and activists. The resistance and strong will of the Kurdish people and people all over the world broke down the walls of Imrali and a meeting was arranged with leader Öcalan.”

‘A successful project’

The people of North and East Syria and people of many countries have a strong bond with the philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan, Hadla Hassan stressed, adding: “This shows that the philosophy of leader Öcalan aims to ensure freedom for everyone. The ‘Democratic Nation Project’ of leader Öcalan has united all people in North and East Syria. It is a successful project based on peace, equality, democracy and justice.”

‘Leader Öcalan is the key to the solution’

Speaking about the conflicts and wars in the Middle East, she said, “We have been going through a sensitive period due to the war in the Gaza Strip and the clashes in Lebanon. The fall of the Assad regime started a new process in Syria. Since the fall of the regime, the Turkish state has intensified its attacks on North and East Syria. The recent developments in the Middle East were mentioned by leader Öcalan years ago. Therefore, I believe that leader Öcalan is the key to the solution in the Middle East. On December 28, a delegation met leader Öcalan in the prison of Imrali. At the meeting, the recent developments in the Middle East and Türkiye were discussed. The struggle and resistance must continue for the breaking down of the walls of Imrali and ensuring the physical freedom of leader Öcalan.”