A new campaign titled 'I want to visit Abdullah Öcalan' has been launched under the initiative of the European Freedom and Peace Platform (EFFP), calling for in-person visits to be allowed with Mr. Öcalan at Imralı Prison. As part of the campaign, official requests will be submitted to Turkey’s Ministry of Justice. In addition, video messages will be shared on social media to support the appeal.

Within the scope of the campaign, individuals from a wide range of international public spheres, including academics, artists, politicians, journalists, legal professionals, opinion leaders, human rights defenders, and activists, will formally apply to the Ministry of Justice in Turkey for permission to visit Mr. Öcalan.

EFFP Coordination Member Professor Neşe Özgen spoke to ANF about the campaign.

European Freedom and Peace Platform

Neşe Özgen stated that the European Freedom and Peace Platform has been active for six years and is composed of exiled individuals and migrants from Turkey and Kurdistan living abroad. She noted that the platform currently includes nearly 300 members. Özgen said, “We are developing a new diaspora policy. It is not only focused on what is happening in Turkey and Kurdistan, but also on the rights of exiles in Europe and the democratic politics here. In other words, we are trying to build a bridge between the political struggles in Turkey and Kurdistan and the democratic movements in Europe.”

We want to strengthen the struggle for peace and democracy

Neşe Özgen stated that they are leading the “I want to visit Abdullah Öcalan” campaign and noted that it has received support from the European Left and The Left in the European Parliament groups. She added that other sectors are also expected to join the campaign in the coming period. Özgen said, “We want to strengthen the struggle for peace, freedom, and democracy, and we want to give real meaning to these concepts. What does peace truly mean? What is freedom? Where should democracy lead us? What kind of democracy do we envision?”

The main goal of the campaign is Öcalan’s freedom

“The main purpose of this campaign is, of course, related to Mr. Öcalan’s freedom,” said Neşe Özgen, emphasizing that their goal is not only for well-known figures, but for people from all segments of society to apply for a visit with Mr. Öcalan. Özgen explained that the campaign emerged in response to the conditions on Imralı: “We are talking about an extremely severe isolation that has continued for 26 years.” She stressed that the ongoing discussions about a resolution process in Turkey must focus on the people themselves, and that the people must be directly involved in shaping this process.

We only hear the voice of the state and the government in this process

Neşe Özgen pointed out that peace negotiations are supposed to take place between two sides, yet only one voice is being heard, the voice of the government and the state. She said, “What we hear is a manipulated form of communication, one in which we are forced to search for meaning between lines. It is an extremely cruel and distorted way of accessing information.” She added that the voices of Mr. Öcalan and the Kurdish freedom movement are being silenced, and that their right to speak in their own words is being denied. Özgen underlined that the February 27 declaration was not merely a call for ceasefire and disarmament but must also be understood as a fundamental issue of democracy.

If one of us is in prison, it means all of us are in prison

Neşe Özgen raised the question: “In this struggle for democracy, where will the people learn the truth?” She emphasized the importance of the public being able to communicate directly with Abdullah Öcalan and continued: “If one of us is a political prisoner, if they are deprived of the right to read, to express their thoughts, to speak and it does not even have to be Mr. Öcalan specifically, but any human being held unjustly in prison, then it means all of us are imprisoned. It means we have all been silenced, removed from political life, unable to establish a political structure.”

Özgen also spoke about how the campaign will move forward. She explained that they have launched the hashtag ‘VisitOcalan,’ but emphasized that this is not merely a social media campaign. She said, “This is a long-term effort. Our goal is to ensure that this issue never fades from the public agenda.”

Major simultaneous conferences planned for September

Neşe Özgen stated that the campaign began within their own network and that nearly 300 affiliated groups are expected to join over time. She also shared details about the upcoming steps: “On July 5, we will hold another major teleconference. Various peace initiatives in Turkey, such as civic groups advocating for peace, have begun efforts to establish a peace assembly. This initiative is also linked to our campaign. Not only political parties with seats in parliament, but also many other segments of society are expressing positive views on the process. A large conference will be held in Turkey on June 15. Similarly, in September, we will organize a major conference in a symbolic European city, possibly Weimar, Strasbourg, or Brussels, highlighting the importance of the democratic movement. At the same time, several conferences will be held across different cities in Turkey. All of these events will be connected through Zoom. Through these conferences, we aim to bring together and amplify the voices of all actors engaged with this issue, both inside the country and abroad.”

All segments of society will take part

Neşe Özgen stated that the first phase of the campaign will involve well-known figures, but they expect all segments of society to join throughout the summer months. She said, “In the second phase of the campaign, our goal is to apply directly to the Ministry of Justice, not only as political figures, academics, or journalists, but as individuals who want to take an active role in the struggle for peace and democracy.” According to Özgen, direct dialogue has the potential to open doors that have long remained closed.

We call on everyone to apply for a visit to Imralı

Neşe Özgen concluded with the following message about the campaign: “A direct meeting with any political prisoner is a fundamental right. The Ministry of Justice must stop making excuses and take steps to ensure that negotiations are handed over to their true representatives. We are using a soft tone, but that does not lessen the strength of our demand for democracy. We are trying to build a genuine political structure for Turkish society. To reclaim the possibility of becoming a society once again, we call on everyone in Turkey, Kurdistan, and Europe who sees themselves as subjects preparing for life to support this campaign and apply to the Ministry of Justice for a visit to Imralı.”