A conference titled "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Peace and Stability for the World" was held in Cape Town, South Africa between February 28 and March 1 under the leadership of the Kurdish Human Rights Working Group and the Freedom for Öcalan Initiative- Syria. The conference was attended by representatives of political parties and trade unions in South Africa, one of Öcalan's lawyers, Mazlum Dinç, a delegation from the Freedom for Öcalan Initiative - Syria, representatives of the Autonomous Administration of North-East Syria (AANES), the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the North-East Syrian women’s movement Kongra Star.

Opening speeches were delivered by South African National Congress Spokesperson Cameron Dugmore, South African Communist Party Representative Solli Mbella, South African Trade Unions Congress Spokesperson Meloyn de Bruyn, Freedom for Öcalan Initiative – Syria Spokesperson Ferzende Munzur and South African Kurdish Human Rights Working Group Co-Chair Mahmoud Patel.

Speaking to ANF about the conference, Ferzende Munzur said: “Preparation for the conference took us 3 months. We went to South Africa as a delegation. There was a candid welcome over there. Very important issues were addressed at the conference. Öcalan’s court plea was at the centre of the discussions.”

PHYSICAL FREEDOM OF ÖCALAN DISCUSSED

Speaking about the issues addressed at the conference, Ferzende stated: “The capitalist nation-state system, the problems in the Middle East, the causes of conflicts in the world and in the region and a democratic solution for the Middle East and the world were discussed, as well as women's revolution, democratization of society in North-East Syria as a model, women's struggle and freedom efforts in South Africa. Other issues included the Democratic Nation project and the Autonomous Administration in North-East Syria, the communal economy, the campaigns and efforts for the physical freedom of Öcalan in Kurdistan and South Africa, the international conspiracy against Öcalan, how to remove his aggravated isolation, the importance of Öcalan’s and all political prisoners’ release and the prisoners’ experiences in solitary cells.”

Munzur continued: “The evaluations regarding the Kurdish cause were positive. Participants emphasized the fact that the Kurdish people and their lands were disintegrated, and that the liberation of the Kurdish people, like every other people, was an urgent issue. Öcalan was praised as a world leader rather than a philosopher and a Kurdish leader. They even see Öcalan as a leader just like Mandela. It was reiterated that political and legal initiatives will be increased to ensure the physical freedom of Öcalan. Influential figures attended the conference, where it was proposed that Öcalan's ideas and philosophy should be promoted at schools and universities in South Africa.

SEMINARS AND PANELS TO BE ORGANIZED AT UNIVERSITIES

Munzur revealed that there were ongoing campaigns for the physical freedom of the Kurdish leader in South Africa, and one of them was the protest in front of the Turkish embassy. He stated: “We were quite impressed by the struggle of intellectuals, writers, revolutionary and political parties in South Africa for Öcalan. The atmosphere was remarkable. It is important that various left/right wing political parties and religious groups contribute to the campaigns and embrace Öcalan as a leader. Important recommendations were made, and decisions were taken at the conference.”

Munzur listed the decisions taken at the conference as follows: fulfilling the peace mission entrusted to the South African government, playing the necessary role in ensuring the physical freedom of Öcalan, breaking the isolation imposed on him and increasing political and legal initiatives to ensure his physical freedom, putting an immediate end to the Turkish attacks against North-East Syria and the Medya Defence Zones, organizing seminars and panels about Öcalan’s struggle at universities in South Africa and promoting his ideas/books in public schools.