Campaign for Abdullah Öcalan’s Freedom Gains Support in Edinburgh

An event advocating for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan was held in Edinburgh as part of the international campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Peaceful Solution to the Kurdish Question.” The gathering took place at the Scottish Kurdish Community Center and drew in members of the Scottish Kurdistan Solidarity Network, Edinburgh University Anarchist Collective, city council members, and Kurdish community members.

The event commenced with a moment of silence to honor revolution martyrs, including a commemoration for journalist and Jineoloji Committee member Nagihan Akarsel. Following the silence, a seminar took place featuring speeches by prominent members of the Kurdish community.

Şoreş Kurdi, a speaker from the Action Committee and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson of the Kurdish People’s Assembly of Scotland, delivered a passionate speech condemning the isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan. Kurdi remarked, “We will break this isolation and liberate our Leader,” emphasizing the solidarity within the Kurdish community.

Kurdi also highlighted that Öcalan’s freedom symbolizes the wider liberation of the Kurdish people. “Our Leader’s freedom is the freedom of the Kurdish people,” Kurdi reiterated, underscoring the lack of communication with Öcalan for 44 months, which he described as “absolute isolation” constituting torture.

Furthermore, Kurdi criticized international bodies for their acceptance of Turkey’s treatment of Öcalan and failure to apply adequate pressure. “The Turkish state does not even apply its own domestic law,” he stated, stressing the need for international intervention.

The event also addressed the “9 October [1998] international conspiracy” against Abdullah Öcalan, with Kurdi asserting, “the time has come for the freedom of our Leader and the restoration of the rights of the Kurdish people. This cannot be postponed any longer.”