The MED Federation of Legal and Solidarity Associations for Families of Prisoners and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED), the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), the Free Women's Movement (TJA), the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) held a press conference to address Öcalan's freedom and events to mark his 73rd birthday on April 4.

MED TUHAD-FED Co-Chair Zeki Baran noted that Abdullah Öcalan has been kept under unprecedented isolation for the last 23 years. “When the letter written by Mr. Öcalan was read during the Newroz 2013 celebrations, millions showed that they endorsed the peace process. However, after the negotiations were suspended by the AKP Chair Erdoğan, one of the darkest periods in the country started. During the AKP-MHP rule, the war policies and a coup mechanism have been put into action again,” Baran said.

'2022 NEWROZ'

“Since 2013, the Kurdish people have held the biggest Newroz celebration in their history in 2022. The 2022 Newroz, which turned into a referendum on the freedom of the Kurdish people, pointed to Mr. Öcalan for the solution of the Kurdish problem through democratic negotiations and peaceful methods. The demand for the freedom of all political prisoners and Mr. Öcalan, was renewed during the celebration,” Baran stated.

CALL UPON THE PUBLIC

Baran continued, speaking about the April 4 events, and said, “April 4, which has become the symbol of peace against war, freedom against slavery, equality against exploitation, for the Kurdish people and the peoples of the region, is the birthday of Mr. Öcalan. Traditionally, the first week is celebrated with the Amara March and saplings are planted. We invite all our people to Halfeti for the Amara March on April 4, to promote the Kurdish people's demand for freedom, to remove the isolation as soon as possible, to resolve the Kurdish problem through democratic negotiations and peaceful methods.”

'LET'S GO TO AMARA'

Speaking after, DBP Co-Chair Saliha Aydeniz emphasized that the policies of isolation and war have become a form of government. “Mr. Öcalan's role is important in stopping this war and current crises and ensuring freedom and equality. This year, both on Newroz and on March 8, millions of people once again raised a voice on the importance of Mr. Öcalan,” she said.

“The Kurds and other peoples do not accept the aggravated isolation. Actions and campaigns are being carried out recently for the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan. Therefore, April 4 should be welcomed with the spirit displayed on March 8 and Newroz on March 21. April 4 symbolizes a 'rebirth'. We ask all our people to go to Amara as part of the April 4 events," she added.

'REBIRTH OF KURDS'

DTK Co-Chair Berdan Öztürk said that April 4, like March 8 and March 21, is an important day for the Kurds. “They wanted to annihilate the Kurds. That was original goal. However, it was frustrated thanks to Mr. Öcalan's struggle. The Kurds have resurrected in their own lands. They recognized their own identity and culture. Therefore, April 4 is the rebirth of the Kurds. We should celebrate this day as our own birthday.”