UK unionist Dubbins: The time has come for the release of Öcalan

British Workers Union (UNITE) International Director and co-chair of the Freedom for Öcalan campaign, Simon Dubbins, urged all trade unions in Europe and beyond to join the international campaign.

British Workers Union (UNITE) International Director and co-chair of the Freedom for Öcalan campaign, Simon Dubbins, published a video-message urging all trade unions in Europe and beyond to join the international campaign.

The appeal comes a few days before the international day of action for Abdullah Öcalan, on 10 October.

Dubbins said: "The situation in Turkey and in the whole region is absolutely critical. Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdish political movement share many of the same values of the trade union and labour movement: inclusiviness, tolerance, equality, women's rights, democracy and peace. And that is why we urge all trade unions to join us in this international campaign. The time has come for the release of Öcalan and for new negotiated peace process in Turkey and the wider region."

The Freedom for Öcalan campaign is a UK trade union-backed initiative to secure the release of imprisoned Kurdish political prisoner Abdullah Öcalan.

In 2017 the annual meeting of the TUC voted unanimously for a motion calling for Mr Öcalan's immediate release and a return to peace talks between Turkey and representatives of the Kurdish people.