74 professors and associate professors at the faculty of political and social sciences ofthe University of Calabria, Italy, signed the letter demanding freedom for Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The signatories reminded that "the Kurdish people's leader, after receiving a delayed political asylum status in our country, has been captured and taken to Turkey's Imrali prison where he has been held for 22 years in isolation. Unfortunately, international organizations, the Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights and the Committee to Prevent Torture, cannot even guarantee Öcalan's basic rights."

The signatories compared Öcalan with South African leader Nelson Mandela and underlined how "he is the most important symbol of the Kurdish people's struggle for freedom and a flag of peace in the Middle East. During his imprisonment, the peoples of North and East Syria, inspired by Öcalan's thinking, turned their lands into a wonderful example of ethnic and interfaith coexistence, leading to the establishment of a democracy that fosters direct democracy, gender equality, interfaith dialogue. North East Syria stands as a stronghold against the ongoing attacks of ISIS and makes a great contribution to preventing the fundamentalist threat in the region."

The letter added: "Öcalan's ongoing imprisonment and the inhumane isolation to which he is subjected, together with the mass repression in the Kurdish regions and the attacks on northern Syria, constitute an attack on democracy. This also affects us as an academic community. That is why we support the international campaign for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. We see this as a fundamental step to strengthen human rights again and to express solidarity with all people who love peace."

The signatories are as follows:

Bova Vincenzo, Cersosimo Domenico, Cimatti Felice, Costabile Antonio, D’Ignazio Guerino, De Gaetano Roberto, Ferrari Vincenzo, Jedlowski Paolo, Jellamo Anna, Marini Matteo, Parini Ercole Giap, Raniolo Francesco, Salomoni Antonella, Bruno Marcello Walter, Catalano Gilda, Citroni Giuli, Clementi Marco, Corrado Alessandra, Cuzzocrea Alfredo, De Rose Carlo, Dottorini Daniele, Elia Anna, Falcioni Daniela, Fiorita Nicola, Fortunato Vincenzo, Gerbasi Giampaolo, Giraudi Giorgio, Librandi Fulvio, Licursi Sabina, Nardo Maria, Noce Tiziana, Pappano Danilo, Roberti Bruno, Rovinello Marco, Russo Anna Margherita, Sivini Silvia, Vitale Annamaria, Bartolucci Guido, Beonio Brocchieri Vittorio, Buscema Carmelo, Campennì Antonino, Canadè Alessandro, Caputo Paolo, Caruso Giovanni, Cerruto Maurizio, Commisso Giuliana, Corradi Maria Laura, D’Agostino Mariafrancesca, D’Alessandro Daniele, De Luca Roberto, Della Corte Elisabetta, Fagiani Maria Luisa, Floriani Sonia, Garreffa Franca, Grande Teresa, Greco Walter, Loprieno Donatella, Marcello Giorgio, Nocito Walter, Passarelli Giovanni, Pellegrino Giuseppina, Ponzo Michela, Samà Antonio, Vingelli Giovanna, Viola Donatella, Affuso Olimpia, Corigliano Filippo, Laghi Pasquale, Maiello Angela, Vella Gessica, Corace Maria, Francesca Cuda Giuseppe, Lavia Francesco, Rotolo Andrea.