The declaration of Istanbul Newroz has been announced at a press conference under the leadership of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), in a hotel in Taksim district. This year's’ Newroz in Istanbul will be celebrated under the motto "Dem dema serkeftinê ye" (Now is the time to succeed). The following individuals and organizations attended the press conference: HDK co-spokespersons Esengül Demir and Cengiz Çiçek, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Pervin Buldan, Labour Party (EMEP) Chair Ercüment Akdeniz, Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Co-Chair Şahin Tümüklü, Socialist Solidarity Platform (SODAP), Labour Movement Party (EHP), Social Freedom Party (TÖP), Community Centres, Partizan, Leverage, Democratic Alevis Association (DAD), 78's Initiative, Eastern and South-eastern Associations Platform, Confederation of Public Labourer’s Unions (KESK), Friendship Cultural Association, New Democrat Youth.

Banners that read "Dema Dema Serkeftine Ye" in Kurdish and Turkish were displayed in the hall where the meeting was held.

IMRALI ISOLATION

HDK co-spokesperson Cengiz Çiçek read out the declaration of Istanbul Newroz and said the following:

“Kawa the Blacksmith in the mythology of the peoples of the Middle East, Caucasus and Asia, has been embraced as the symbol of struggle against tyranny first by the Kurdish people and later by all the oppressed in Turkey. Today’s Kawas continue their struggle for democracy and freedom against contemporary Dehaqs (Kawa’s archenemy, tyrant) with the same faith and determination.

The AKP-MHP fascist government has recently escalated its attacks on the lands of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, as well as its crackdown on the democratic Kurdish politics, identity, culture and existence in Turkey. Mr. Öcalan has been held in an isolation and torture system in Imrali prison for 24 years. A special regime of isolation and torture is in effect at Imrali, rather than laws.

All political prisoners, particularly sick prisoners, are left to die in Turkey’s jails that have been turned into death houses because of the isolation policies. Political prisoners whose jail terms are over are arbitrarily denied release. All sick and political prisoners, including Mr. Öcalan, must be released as soon as possible. All political, economic, social and ecological problems, especially the Kurdish issue, cannot be resolved through the isolation regime. The policies of total war, carried out at home and abroad against the Kurds, are the main causes of inequality, injustice, poverty and corruption, as well as social and political polarization in the country.

'WAR'S ECONOMIC BURDEN ON LABOURERS’ SHOULDERS'

War expenditures have placed a burden on the peoples of Turkey, laborers, workers and the oppressed. The world is going through interesting times. The war in Syria is spreading to Ukraine with the same aims and by similar forces. Migrants and refugees are everywhere from Libya to Syria, from Afghanistan to Ukraine.

'LET'S EXPAND OUR REVOLT IN UNITY'

Newroz is the beginning of spring, the day of new hopes, aspirations and glorious victories. We will celebrate the Newroz of 2022 as the Newroz of freedom and victory. We invite all our people to come together around the Newroz fire, to express our demands for freedom and to celebrate Newroz wherever they are by raising our enthusiasm, anger and rebellion. Now is the time to fight together from Newroz to May 1st. Now is the time to win. Long live Newroz, long live unity, solidarity and struggle.”

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