On 10 October 2023, alongside the global launch of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign in Strasbourg, a powerful wave of support also rose in Turkey and Northern (Bakur) Kurdistan.

The campaign, aiming to protest Abdullah Öcalan’s continued imprisonment under severe isolation since 1999 in Imralı Prison and to contribute to a democratic solution to the Kurdish question, has grown through the participation of grassroots movements, civil society organizations, political parties, and imprisoned detainees in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.

The fire ignited by the campaign in Europe resonated across Northern Kurdistan, particularly in cities like Amed (Diyarbakır), Van (Wan), and Şırnak (Şirnex), as well as in Turkey’s western provinces such as Istanbul and Izmir. The campaign, supported through marches, press statements, hunger strikes, vigils, and cultural events, has emphasized that Mr. Öcalan’s freedom is critical for peace between Kurds and Turks.

Here are the details of events that have taken place in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan since the beginning of the campaign:

2023

10 October 2023

The “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” platform held a press statement in front of the Süreyya Opera House in Kadıköy, Istanbul.

The Democratic Society Congress (DTK), the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), and the Free Women’s Movement (TJA) held a press conference at Sümerpark in Amed. DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır stated, “Öcalan’s freedom is the freedom of the Kurdish people.”

Press statements were also made in city centers such as Mardin (Mêrdîn), Batman (Êlih), Urfa (Riha), and Adana. In Mardin, five people were detained following a police intervention.

15 October 2023

The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) organized a public meeting in Amed to promote the campaign. At the meeting held in Sümerpark, it was emphasized that Mr. Öcalan’s conditions of isolation constituted a violation of human rights.

A similar meeting was held at Musa Anter Park in Van, where police detained three people following the event.

28 October 2023

A group of seventy-eight individuals, including journalists, artists, writers, politicians, and intellectuals, released a “Call for Peace” declaration during an event held in a hall in Taksim, Istanbul.

The declaration stated, “Dialogue must begin for the freedom of Öcalan and a democratic solution to the Kurdish question.”

The DEM Party and the TJA issued a press statement in support of the declaration. Around two hundred people gathered at Koşuyolu Park in Amed.

3 November 2023

TJA organized a seminar at Sümerpark under the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom). President Öcalan’s paradigm of women’s liberation was discussed, with the participation of over three hundred women.

Women’s organizations in Van and Mardin supported the campaign with similar seminars.

18–19 November 2023

On 18 November, the “Gemlik March” began in Amed. Tens of thousands marched toward Gemlik under the slogan “End isolation, freedom for Öcalan.” Police set up barricades on the outskirts of Amed, and thirty people were detained.

On 19 November, groups arriving from the Marmara, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions marched from Kadıköy to Gemlik. Due to police obstructions, twenty-five people were taken into custody.

27 November 2023

Prisoners affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Free Women’s Party (PAJK) in prisons across Turkey and Northern Kurdistan launched a hunger strike to protest the isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan. The strike was particularly concentrated in prisons located in Amed, Van, Şırnak, Elazığ (Elaziz), Adana, Izmir, and Ankara.

Relatives of the prisoners began a “Justice Vigil.” Police detained ten people during the vigil.

Vigil actions were also organized in Van, Adana, Mersin, Istanbul, and Izmir. In Van’s Musa Anter Park, eight individuals were detained.

7–14 December 2023

As part of the “Global Abdullah Öcalan Book Day,” readings of Mr. Öcalan’s works were held in Amed, Van, Mardin, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, and Urfa. Around five hundred people gathered at Sümerpark in Amed, while three hundred assembled at Musa Anter Park in Van.

In Istanbul’s Kadıköy district, the DEM Party set up a stand, which was later removed by police. The “Global Abdullah Öcalan Book Day” spread to cities across Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.

2024

1 January 2024

The TJA launched the “Freedom Readings” event in Sümerpark, which continued throughout the year.

In Kadıköy, the TJA and the Women’s Assembly of the DEM Party held a “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” forum.

“Freedom Readings” were also initiated in Van, Mardin, and Adana.

15–17 January 2024

The Youth Assembly of the DEM Party organized a three-day sit-in protest against the isolation. In Koşuyolu Park in Amed, two hundred young people unfurled banners reading “Freedom for Öcalan”; police detained twelve participants.

23–25 January 2024

The Istanbul Provincial Organization of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) held a three-day hunger strike in Kadıköy. The action was supported by the slogan “End isolation, freedom for Öcalan.”

To support the hunger strike, the DEM Party held a press statement in Amed, where five people were detained.

15 February 2024

Protests were held in Amed, Van, Şırnak, and Batman on the 25th anniversary of the international conspiracy against Mr. Öcalan. In Amed, three hundred people gathered in Koşuyolu Park, where police detained thirty. In Van’s Musa Anter Park, fifteen people were taken into custody.

8 March 2024

On International Women’s Day, rallies led by the TJA were held in Amed, Batman, Van, Mardin, Izmir, and Urfa. In Amed’s Istasyon Square, fifty thousand women gathered, while thirty thousand came together at 16 May Stadium in Batman. The rallies, held under the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî”, emphasized Mr. Öcalan’s paradigm of women’s liberation.

Ten thousand women marched in Kadıköy carrying banners that read “Freedom for Öcalan.”

21 March 2024

Newroz celebrations were held in Amed, Van (Wan), Mardin, Şırnak, Siirt (Sêrt), Batman, Urfa, and Ağrı (Agirî) under the slogan “Rabe dema azadî û serkeftinê ye” (“Rise up, it is the time for freedom and victory”). Millions demanded the freedom of Mr. Öcalan. Posters of Mr. Öcalan were carried during the celebrations. Police detained twenty people in Amed and ten in Van.

4 April 2024

On the occasion of Mr. Öcalan’s 75th birthday, a march titled “To Amara for Freedom” was held. Twenty thousand people marched from Halfeti (Xalfeti) to Amara, delivering the message that “The physical freedom of Öcalan is the key to peace.”

At the 4 April Festival, a message from Mr. Öcalan addressed to the youth was read aloud. Police detained ten people during the event.

The DEM Party held a supporting press statement at Sümerpark.

9 August 2024

Relatives of political prisoners made a press statement in front of the DEM Party’s İpekyolu (Reya Armûşê) District Organization on the 16th week of the “End Isolation” actions.

13 October 2024

Despite a ban imposed by the governor’s office, the “Freedom for Öcalan” rally supported by the DEM Party and the Amed Metropolitan Municipality was held in Istasyon Square.

17 November 2024

Thirty thousand people participated in the “Democracy and Freedom” rally in Batman.

23 November 2024

After 43 months, Mr. Öcalan held a family visit with his nephew Ömer Öcalan. His message was: “If the conditions are created, I possess both the theoretical and practical capacity to move the process onto a legal and political ground.”

A press statement was made at the DEM Party’s Amed provincial office. The crowd chanted slogans such as “Bijî Serok Apo” (“Long live President Öcalan”).

28 December 2024

A delegation from the DEM Party, including Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, and Ahmet Türk, held a second meeting with Mr. Öcalan.

Mr. Öcalan identified the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) as the platform for a solution and stated, “This is a discussion about how all segments of society can live together in a democratic country.”

A public gathering was held in Sümerpark where Mr. Öcalan’s message was discussed.

16 December 2024

The “Democratic Solution and Freedom” march began in Amed, heading toward Ankara. Police detained twelve people.

2025

17 January 2025

A DEM Party delegation held a third meeting with Mr. Öcalan. He stated, “I am ready to take the necessary steps for peace and democracy.”

The DEM Party’s Van Provincial Organization held a press conference in Musa Anter Park, where the crowd expressed their determination to amplify Mr. Öcalan’s message.

27 February 2025

Mr. Öcalan’s “Call for a Democratic Society and Peace” was publicly announced by the DEM Party. Ahmet Türk read the statement in Kurdish and Pervin Buldan in Turkish. Women gathered in front of the DEM Party’s provincial office voiced their support for the call.

Following this declaration, the campaign has continued uninterrupted, focusing on delivering Mr. Öcalan’s messages to the people.

The support movement in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan, launched in parallel with the European campaign on 10 October 2023, has grown through marches, hunger strikes, vigils, and cultural events.

Mr. Öcalan’s historic call on 27 February 2025 made the campaign the central platform for the peace process. It has strengthened the hope for peace in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan and continues with the leadership of the DEM Party and the support of the people.