Politicians and representatives of democratic mass organisations taking part in the march have reached the Halfeti district of Urfa today, which marks the 25th anniversary of the international conspiracy that led to Abdullah Öcalan’s abduction in Kenya and handover to Turkey on 15 February 1999. The Kurdish leader has been held in Imrali Island Prison since, subjected to unlawful and inhuman treatment. He has not been heard from for three years now, denied any form of contact with his lawyers and family members.

Participants of the march gathered in front of the DEM Party building, where a press statement was made.

DBP Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar thanked everyone who supported them during the march. "We did not only march as those who organised this march, but as thousands and millions. We breathed the land and history of Kurdistan everywhere. We call out to those who criminalize our march; the Kurdish people own this march, our people's demand for peace owns this march. We are waging a struggle that continues to raise the voice of peace in a land where war has been imposed for a century. On 15 February 1999, Mr Öcalan was brought to Turkey. When Mr Öcalan was brought here, this conspiracy was described as the end of the Kurdish reality. But this conspiracy did not succeed,” she said.

Addressing the state, Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar stated: "We call out to the state that does not lift a finger against the Kurdish question and deploys the police in front of us; Kurds have never bowed down and will never bow down. Everyone needs to join forces to solve the Kurdish question, which is a reality that needs to be solved. We call out to those who insist on war policies; this issue will be solved and the only way to solve it is to ensure the physical freedom of Mr Öcalan. Since the international conspiracy, the Turkish state has maintained a system of isolation that tramples on its own law and international law, but the Kurds do not give up their demands."

Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar concluded: "The Kurds have fought against ISIS, which was created by the hegemonic powers that perpetrated the international conspiracy, in a very strong way. Kurds and Kurdish women have opened the door to a new paradigm in Rojava. Mr Öcalan's paradigm must come to life in this geography. We will end this march here, but we will struggle until the voice of Mr Öcalan reaches everyone and the Kurdish question is solved. We thank everyone who made a contribution and struggled throughout the march."

After the statement, the group set off for Amara, the village where Abdullah Öcalan was born.