On the 23rd anniversary of the plot against Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Peace in Kurdistan reiterated its demand for his release and called for the recognition of his role as a peace maker and the right of the Kurdish people to choose their own political leader.

The statement said: "The reality is that the internationally coordinated action that led to the capture and arrest of Abdullah Öcalan in 1999 must now be judged as a failure in its basic strategic objectives. The elaborate plan involving international powers was not simply about catching an individual. It was targeted at ending the independent national political movement of the Kurdish people. What Kurds view and justifiably describe as an “international conspiracy” was meant to bring an end to the independent Kurdish movement that Ocalan had founded and stifle their political activities by cutting off the leadership.

But the bonds between the leader and his people have not been severed, which is a remarkable testimony to the tenacity of the Kurdish political consciousness.

The Kurdish people’s commitment to the cause is a lasting achievement of the activities of Ocalan and will endure as his political legacy."  

The statement added: "Over the last 23 years, the isolation in prison and the strict measures imposed to silence Öcalan have all failed to halt his authority and influence among Kurdish people. The Kurds remain steadfast in their support for the movement that he created, they still choose him as their leader, and they remain fiercely loyal to the political programme that he has developed including the blueprint for a reshaped Middle East that Öcalan has outlined as a step towards achieving human progress and liberation.

Despite continued state repression, the war waged against the Kurds and all their institutions, the Kurdish movement remains solidly aligned with Öcalan and guided by his perspective on building a future for Kurdistan and the broader Middle East shaped by his ideas embodied in the concept of democratic confederalism." 

The statement continued: "It must be extremely frustrating for the Turkish rulers and their allies that despite all the legal, military and propaganda actions taken against Öcalan and the Kurds they have been unable to break the leader or the Kurdish movement.

Öcalan, held in prison under extremely inhumane conditions, is about as physically unfree as any human being can be. But his ideas run free among the Kurdish people exactly as they did when he was at liberty. Physically, Öcalan is silenced and prevented from speaking to any of his supporters, but through his powerful writings and within the collective memory of the people his words are as alive as if he was able to speak to an audience directly. Öcalan still exercises an influence like no other Kurdish political figure of modern times. This influence is undiminished because Öcalan articulates the main demands and wishes of the Kurdish people. A leader with such demonstrable influence clearly has much to offer and contribute to the future politics of his people and the region."

Peace in Kurdistan Campaign said that "the lesson of the years of incarceration since 1999 is that Öcalan is the undiminished figurehead of the Kurdish people. The political movement that he founded has adapted to changing circumstances and continues to expand. Öcalan remains a key player on the political scene despite being in jail and he is an inspiration for new generations of young Kurds who have never known him to be physically free. The Kurds cannot be humiliated and are undefeated by all the repression and military campaigns by Turkey, no matter how brutal these are being waged and no matter the level of sophistication of the weapons technology that the Turks are able to bring to bear.

Abdullah Öcalan is a unique modern Kurdish leader whose reputation continues to grow. He has stood firm in his call for peace over all these years and has issued repeated proposals for achieving peace with Turkey."

Öcalan, continued Peace in Kurdistan, "has the potential to play a key role in any future peace process once Turkey is dragged back to the negotiating table. Turkey’s allies should act responsibly to bring about peace by persuading those in charge in Ankara to grasp the opportunity offered by Öcalan to end the war, thereby ending the political repression and social conflicts that have blighted Turkey and the region for far too long.    

For the Kurds, freedom and peace are indivisible. Öcalan is the living embodiment of his people’s hopes and demands for peace and freedom. Peace in Kurdistan stands with the Kurdish people and their demands for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. He remains the best guarantor for achieving an enduring peace settlement. "