On 10 October 2023, the global campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” was launched in Strasbourg, France. Simultaneously, it was met with a powerful wave of support across North and East Syria. Aimed at protesting the severe isolation imposed on Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan in Imrali Prison since 1999 and seeking a democratic resolution to the Kurdish question, the campaign has evolved into a broad peace movement uniting Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Armenians, and other communities in the region.

Organized by the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Kongra Star, the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM), the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, as well as women’s movements, youth groups, lawyers, academics, artists, and grassroots initiatives, the campaign has expanded through marches, tent actions, rallies, panels, reading events, tree planting activities, conferences, and diplomatic efforts. It has grown into a powerful expression of solidarity. The campaign also highlighted that Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas, Democratic Nation, the Women’s Freedom Paradigm, and an Ecological Society, form the ideological foundation of the region’s revolution. What follows are key events and actions that have marked the campaign’s progress across North and East Syria.

14 October 2023

The People's Initiative of North and East Syria announced its participation in the global campaign launched for the freedom of Mr. Öcalan.

16 October 2023

Twenty-seven civil society organizations gathered under the umbrella of the TEV-DEM declared their support for the global campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.” Kongra Star announced its participation in the campaign. Residents of the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud (Şêxmeqsûd) and Ashrafieh (Eşrefiyê) issued a statement declaring their support for the global initiative demanding Mr. Öcalan’s freedom.

17 October 2023

Political parties, civil society institutions, and respected community figures from Afrin (Efrîn) and Shehba (Şehba) announced their support for the campaign. Citizens from the southern region of Hesekê (Hasakeh) Canton joined the initiative through a mass march, while the Yazidi Women’s Union of Rojava expressed its support through a public statement for the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

The People's Initiative of North and East Syria launched a tent protest in Qamishlo as part of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative and the Syrian Lawyers Initiative to Defend Abdullah Öcalan organized a panel under the same campaign title. The panel took place at the Telet Helep Hall in the eastern part of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo. Political party representatives, civil society organizations, and independent figures participated in the event, alongside international participants who joined online.

18 October 2023

The Young Women’s Union organized a workshop in Raqqa (Reqa) as part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign.

In Manbij (Minbic), residents set up a protest tent in support of the campaign launched by the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” platform.

19 October 2023

Kongra Star issued a statement on behalf of women’s organizations in the Afrin and Shehba cantons, expressing their support for the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

The Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria and the Young Women’s Union held a march in support of the initiative launched for the freedom of Mr. Öcalan.

21 October 2023

Residents of Hesekê held a mass march as part of the campaign.

22 October 2023

The Til Temir Culture and Arts Center and the Hîlala Zêrîn Movement organized a solidarity event in support of the global campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

The Zenûbiya Women’s Community, along with the local assemblies of Manbij and Tabqa (Tebqa), declared their support for the global campaign for Mr. Öcalan’s freedom and pledged to strengthen their struggle.

23 October 2023

The Hîlala Zêrîn Movement, the Culture and Arts Council, the Union of Artists, the Committee of Intellectuals and Writers, and the Mesopotamia Culture and Arts Movement issued a joint press statement declaring their support for the international initiative demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

The Zenûbiya Women’s Community of Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor) issued a statement condemning the aggravated isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan, who has not been heard from for over three years. The group called for strong participation in the campaign.

24 October 2023

Hundreds of residents from the Kobanê Canton gathered at Martyr Egîd Square in the city center to declare their support for the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

The Social Defense Forces of Hesekê announced their participation in the global campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

25 October 2023

A mass march was organized in Eyn Îsa to demand the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. During the demonstration, participants sent strong messages of support for the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

26 October 2023

The Martyrs’ Families Council of the Euphrates Canton issued a statement supporting the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question,” emphasizing their determination to achieve his physical freedom.

Residents of Sirin (Sirîn) held a march as part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign organized by the People’s Initiative of North and East Syria.

The Democratic Civil Administration of Manbij and local citizens called on human rights organizations and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) to take serious steps toward securing the physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan.

29 October 2023

Residents of the Shehba Canton held a march led by students and youth as part of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question,” demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

30 October 2023

In separate statements issued in Tabqa, Manbij, and the Afrin–Shehba cantons, the Martyrs’ Families Council called on democratic forces and peoples committed to freedom to continue their struggle based on the demand for Mr. Öcalan’s physical freedom.

The Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria held a press statement in the district of Girkê Legê as part of the global campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question,” which was announced on 10 October in 74 locations around the world.

31 October 2023

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Initiative, Syria launched a three-day tent protest in Aleppo in support of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

2 November 2023

The Martyrs’ Families Council of Raqqa announced its support for the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” and set up a protest tent.

7 November 2023

The Revolutionary Youth Movement and the Young Women’s Union organized a seminar addressing the dangers of the deepening absolute isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan, as well as the Turkish occupying state’s simultaneous attacks of invasion, destruction, and genocide against the Medya Defense Zones and other parts of Kurdistan.

The Revolutionary Youth Movement of Hesekê held two separate meetings in the Til Temir district of the Hesekê Canton as part of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

The Women’s Union of Tabqa organized a march to demand the physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan as part of the campaign.

10 November 2023

A Culture and Arts Festival was held under the slogan “With the spirit of the Democratic Nation, we will defend North and East Syria and secure the physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan.” The festival emphasized that Mr. Öcalan’s paradigm would be passed on to future generations.

As part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan” campaign, a seven-day tent protest was launched in Hesekê.

12 November 2023

Peace Mothers in Raqqa issued a statement calling for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

13 November 2023

The Afrin and Shehba Coordination of Kongra Star organized a panel as part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign.

15 November 2023

A march held in the eastern region of Deir ez-Zor as part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign brought together members of civil society organizations, the Zenûbiya Women’s Community Council, and prominent community leaders.

In Deir ez-Zor, the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative and the Lawyers’ Initiative to Defend Mr. Öcalan organized a panel under the slogan “The philosophy of the Democratic Nation is the most suitable model for solving the problems of the Middle East.”

16 November 2023

A march was held in the Afrin and Shehba cantons, led by the TEV-DEM, to protest the intensified isolation imposed on Mr. Abdullah Öcalan as part of the ongoing campaign.

20 November 2023

Residents of the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor held a mass march as part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign initiated by the People’s Initiative of North and East Syria.

21 November 2023

The Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria and the Young Women’s Union of Derik (Dêrik) organized a book exhibition to promote the ideas of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan.

29 November 2023

Youth from North and East Syria marched for three days to strengthen the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign and to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the founding of the PKK.

30 November 2023

The Hîlala Zêrîn Movement and the Baqi Xido Culture and Arts Center organized a concert in support of the campaign for the physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan.

The Mesopotamian Democratic Culture and Arts Movement held an event in Rimêlan, with the participation of the Aram Tigran Culture and Arts Center and 400 students, demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. Artists, staff, and students gathered in Rimêlan Park and voiced their demand for his release.

3 December 2023

The Syrian Lawyers’ Initiative to Defend Abdullah Öcalan issued a call to Amnesty International, urging the organization to evaluate Mr. Öcalan’s condition, the struggle surrounding his case, and the policies of the occupying Turkish state. The initiative demanded an end to his isolation and the achievement of his physical freedom.

9 December 2023

The Zenûbiya Women’s Community opened an exhibition featuring books written by Abdullah Öcalan.

10 December 2023

In Raqqa, the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative organized a conference with the participation of the North and East Syria Lawyers’ Union and the Doctors’ Union, joined by politicians and legal professionals from Homs, Hama, and Latakia.

13 December 2023

An event was held in Qamishlo as part of the “Global Öcalan Book Day.” Participants supported the campaign by reading books written by Abdullah Öcalan.

18 December 2023

As part of the international campaign carried out under the slogan “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question,” a cultural and artistic event was organized by the Culture and Arts Center of the Til Temir district in the Cizire Canton, in coordination with the Cizire Canton Intellectuals’ Union.

20 December 2023

The Rojava Ecology Women’s Platform read a passage from the book Imrali Meeting Notes, featuring a dialogue between Pervin Buldan and Abdullah Öcalan, as part of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

21 December 2023

A seminar on Abdullah Öcalan’s views on philosophy, literature, and the arts was held with the participation of representatives of the Autonomous Administration, the People’s Initiative, members of the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative, academics, public figures, intellectuals, and students from Rojava University. The seminar was organized in support of the People’s Initiative campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

23 December 2023

The Women's Council of the PYD organized a panel in support of the campaign launched to secure the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

25 December 2023

Kongra Star and the PYD Women's Council launched a three-day action as part of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question,” calling for the achievement of Mr. Öcalan’s physical freedom.

31 December 2023

A total of 1,025 Syrian lawyers who signed a petition for Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom submitted a formal appeal to Amnesty International.

3 January 2024

Led by the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative, in cooperation with the Lawyers’ Initiative to Defend Mr.  Öcalan and the Health Union of North and East Syria, numerous letters were sent to international and global human rights organizations.

7 January 2024

The Martyrs’ Families Council of the Manbij Canton held a mass meeting to evaluate the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

11 January 2024

The Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria and the Young Women’s Union organized a march in the district of Şêran in the Euphrates Canton as part of the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

15 January 2024

The Mesopotamian Assembly of Peoples and Faiths, along with numerous faith institutions and religious scholars from across North and East Syria, announced their participation in the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

20 January 2024

Hundreds of people gathered in the towns of Til Temir and Zirgan to call for the freedom of Mr. Öcalan.

22 January 2024

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative and the Syrian Lawyers’ Initiative to Defend Abdullah Öcalan sent a letter to Omar Zniber, the new president of the United Nations Human Rights Council (OHCHR), urging immediate action against the ongoing isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan.

23 January 2024

A panel titled “The Solution to the Region’s Crises Lies in Imrali” was held in the Manbij Canton.

30 January 2024

The Hilala Zerin Movement of the Raqqa Canton organized a literary gathering on the life of Mr. Öcalan under the slogan “Poetry and Literature Meet in the Waves of Imrali.”

9 February 2024

The People’s Initiative for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan in North and East Syria launched a signature campaign demanding the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan.

10 February 2024

The Raqqa Conference for the Physical Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan was held under the slogan “With the Philosophy of Jin, Jiyan, Azadî, We Will Achieve the Physical Freedom of Mr. Öcalan.”

 13 February 2024

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative organized a conference in Raqqa under the slogan “With the People’s Struggle, the Walls of Imrali Will Fall, and the Spring of Peoples Will Begin,” calling for the release of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. In the Euphrates Canton, youth launched a three-day long march as part of the campaign.

14 February 2024

In the Cizire Canton, women participated in reading sessions featuring the books of Mr. Öcalan.

15 February 2024

In four cantons across North and East Syria, marches were launched in seven different locations to condemn the international conspiracy against Mr. Öcalan.

1 April 2024

A mobile library was launched in Raqqa, distributing 200 books written by Abdullah Öcalan.

2 April 2024

A stand featuring the works of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan was opened in Qamishlo.

21 April 2024

The Democratic Islam Congress organized a panel in Qamishlo under the title “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

8 May 2024

The Revolutionary Youth Movement of Syria and the Young Women’s Union of the Euphrates Canton held a conference to demand the physical freedom of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. The event was attended by hundreds of students, families of martyrs, and members of Kongra Star.

13 May 2024

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative sent an open message to eight international organizations, calling for pressure to be placed on the occupying Turkish state to secure Mr. Öcalan’s physical freedom and to resolve the Kurdish question.

19 June 2024

The Young Women’s Union of Tabqa organized an exhibition under the slogan “With Jin, Jiyan, Azadî, We Will Achieve the Physical Freedom of Öcalan” Books and photographs of Abdullah Öcalan were displayed at the event.

21 June 2024

As part of the international campaign for the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan, a music event was held in Qamishlo. The event emphasized the urgent demand for his release.

25 June 2024

In various cities across North and East Syria, people protested the isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan through diverse actions and called for the intensification of the struggle.

1 August 2024

The Health Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria held a conference in Hesekê under the slogan “Isolation is the greatest threat to human health and a violation of basic rights.”

4 August 2024

A poetry night was organized in Kobanê under the slogan “With the Culture and Art of the Democratic Nation, We Will Defeat Isolation and Secure the Physical Freedom of Öcalan.”

7 September 2024

A panel titled “The Regime of Truth” was organized under the leadership of the Abdullah Öcalan Academy of Social Sciences.

10 December 2024

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Syria Initiative sent a letter to the United Nations Secretariat, drawing attention to the system of torture and genocide in Imrali and demanding action.

13 January 2025

Across North and East Syria, public meetings were held to mark the 26th anniversary of the international conspiracy carried out against Abdullah Öcalan on 15 February 1999. The gatherings called for active participation in the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” and delivered messages of breaking the isolation through struggle.

14–15 February 2025

A massive rally was held in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria under the slogan “We Will Turn the Black Day into the Day of Freedom for Mr. Öcalan.”

27 February 2025

 Abdullah Öcalan’s “Democratic Society and Peace” call was broadcast on large public screens throughout the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. People expressed hope that the call would give new momentum to the campaign.

4 March 2025

In a public meeting in Amuda (Amûdê), residents stated that the achievement of peace and democracy depends on securing the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

8 March 2025

In many cities across North and East Syria, International Women’s Day celebrations were held under the slogan “Toward a Democratic Syria with the Philosophy of Jin, Jiyan, Azadî.” Led by women, the events sparked great enthusiasm through a message from Mr. Öcalan to women. It was emphasized that with new momentum from his “Democratic Society and Peace” call, his physical freedom could be achieved.

21 March 2025

During the Newroz celebrations held across North and East Syria, speeches delivered in the public squares emphasized that Newroz 2025 must become a turning point for resolving the Kurdish question and securing the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.

13 April 2025

The Zenûbiya Women’s Community Council organized reading groups focused on Mr. Öcalan’s book The Kurdish Question and the Democratic Nation Solution, with the participation of women in the Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa cantons.

15 April 2025

Led by Kongra Star and the Young Women’s Union, a cultural event was held in Qamishlo, Cizire Canton, under the theme “Women and Öcalan,” where women expressed their deep commitment to Mr. Öcalan.

3 May 2025

Thousands of people marched in Kobanê, Qamishlo, and Hesekê demanding the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. The campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” has evolved into a powerful platform of solidarity and resistance in North and East Syria, uniting Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Armenians, and other peoples of the region. The determined struggle of the peoples continues to be a vital source of inspiration for achieving Mr. Öcalan’s freedom and establishing lasting peace.