In the summer of 2025, the European Forum for Freedom and Peace launched a new campaign, titled “I Want to Visit Öcalan”. Through this campaign, dozens of academics, political figures, activists, lawyers and solidarians applied to visit Öcalan on Imrali Island Prison. In July, a delegation travelled Turkey to apply in person, and discuss the ongoing process for ‘Peace and Democratic Society.’ Their call reads:
The “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” announced on February 27 by Abdullah Öcalan, the founding leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), who has been held in isolation by the Turkish state on İmralı Island for 26 years, has caused shockwaves. In response to this call, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire and convened a congress soon thereafter, deciding to end its armed struggle against the Turkish state. Both Mr. Öcalan’s call and the PKK’s actions have created a historic opportunity for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question. It is clear that this opportunity offers a strong basis not only for peace, but also for the realization of freedom, equality, justice and democracy – in other words, for a genuine solution.
We, the founders of the European Forum for Peace and Freedom, are determined to ensure that this great opportunity is not squandered.
We say,
The conditions of Mr. Öcalan, who has shown with his call that he is capable of silencing weapons, must be immediately improved to allow him to proceed with stronger steps towards peace. The obstacles preventing Mr. Öcalan from sharing his vision for the future of Turkey, Kurdistan, the Middle East and even the world, which he has been preparing for years, must be removed. We would like to ask our questions and learn about Mr. Öcalan’s ideas and proposals for the construction of a more livable world. We believe that the way to accomplish this is through direct contact with Mr. Öcalan, without any obstacles between us.
We want to see Öcalan, ask him questions and listen to his answers. We want to visit Öcalan.
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