Young internationalists from European countries who applied to the Turkish Ministry of Justice to meet with Abdullah Öcalan called for the immediate release of the Kurdish leader from Imrali Prison.
After submitting a written request to the Turkish Ministry of Justice in Ankara to meet with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Prison, a seven-member delegation of the “Insisting On Freedom” Initiative held a press conference at the headquarters of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party.
The press statement made by the internationalist group on Thursday includes the following:
“We are the “Insisting on Freedom” delegation formed of young people from Italy, Germany and France who are united in the search for an alternative life. We believe in real democracy, the sisterhood and brotherhood of peoples, a society in harmony with nature. As internationalist youth of the “Insisting on Freedom” delegation, we are taking part in the international campaign “We want to meet Öcalan” demanding the immediate physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan.
Today, the 24th of July, we are in Ankara to demand a meeting with Öcalan. On the 24th July 2015, the Turkish state made a decision in the city to bomb the Qandil Mountains. This act undermined Mr. Abdullah Öcalan’s peace efforts at the time and brought an end to the peace process in 2013-2015.
We are here today to support Mr. Abdullah Öcalan’s effort for peace and the “Peace and Democratic Society” process. Even under the harshest conditions of isolation, Mr. Öcalan has been able to pave the way for this process. We believe that his participation under free working conditions will ensure a succesfull outcome in the current process.
Because of this, on this historic day, we call for the immediate release of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan from the prison island of İmrali.
Developments in relation to this peace process are being closely followed all over the world. As young people in Europe, we see how the political paradigm of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is a source of inspiration for progressive forces.
In these times, which are defined by war and violence, the call and ideas of Mr. Öcalan are resonating strongly with the people’s desire for peace.
At a time when wars are esclating around the world, especially in the Middle East, we feel the need to take a clear position. As Mr. Öcalan said, long-lasting peace can only be established through democratic politics, not weapons.
Over the next few days, we will be in Istanbul to discuss Mr. Öcalan’s ideas with various political figures. However, we also want to discuss these ideas directly with Mr. Öcalan himself.
Inspired by Mr. Öcalan’s vision of a new internationalism, we aim to build bridges between people. As young people, we recognize our responsibility for social transformation and communal organization.
We insist on freedom.”