The campaign launched to demand the physical freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has collected nearly 900 thousand signatures in North and East Syria since January 22.
In cooperation with the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Initiative-Syria, the North and East Syrian People's Initiative has recently launched a campaign demanding to lift the isolation in Imrali prison, allow family and lawyer visits, and ensure the physical freedom of the Kurdish leader. With the conclusion of the campaign, the signatures collected across North and East Syria will be submitted to the Asrın Law Office and then to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) via the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Initiative-Syria.
In an interview with ANF, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) General Assembly Member and Spokesperson for the campaign, Perwîn Yusif, said that the campaign was completed in the Cizire Region and that nearly 900,000 signatures have been collected so far. She said: “The peoples of North and East Syria are prospering and growing with the philosophy of Öcalan. We have been struggling for years in order to be worthy of Öcalan's efforts and sacrifice and to ensure his physical freedom.”
Yusif noted: “The petition was launched in order to break the silence of the international forces and to criticize those who turn a blind eye to the violations of Öcalan’s rights. This campaign was promoted by all peoples, and endorsed by institutions, organizations and political parties in the region. The collected signatures will be submitted to the CPT, which is internationally tasked with preventing mistreatment and torture of prisoners but is currently acting hypocritically. The fact that the CPT does not make a statement after its visit to Imrali is just hypocrisy.”
According to Yusif, “The public demands that these institutions and organizations act in accordance with their norms and laws. They should reveal the truth based on their duties and responsibilities. We must break the isolation through our struggle. Our goal is not only to get information about Öcalan, but also to ensure his freedom. It's time for his physical freedom because he struggled for the freedom of millions with his ideas and philosophy. For this very reason, he should be allowed to live freely among people. If the peoples of North-East Syria can maintain a peaceful life, it is thanks to its architect, Öcalan. It is Öcalan himself who defied the capitalist system's policy of pitting people against each other. It is unacceptable for such a genius person to be held behind bars.”
ALMOST 900,000 SIGNATURES COLLECTED
Yusif continued: “Committees were established in every city for the campaign and these committees carried out the campaign with the support of the communes and assemblies in cities. Signatures were collected from each volunteer officially aged 15 and above. We visited each house and commune. The signature campaign in Cizire Region has ended. The campaign continues in some regions due to the impact of the earthquake in Turkey.”
All nationalities living in the region are also endorsing the campaign. The campaign is not over yet, but we have already reached our target. Nearly 900,000 signatures have been collected. We will soon announce the outcome of the campaign in a press release.”
OUR PEOPLE ENDORSE CAMPAIGN ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Yusif emphasized that they would follow the CPT's response to the petition. She added: “Our burden is increasing gradually. Our people consider themselves responsible for ensuring the physical freedom of Öcalan and will continue their actions to do so without interruption. In order to do that, the struggle must have a high level of participation. People’s participation in the campaign was massive. They once again proved their loyalty to Öcalan with this campaign. They don't just give signatures; they also want these signatures to get results. They will monitor the campaign.
Our people are waiting for CPT’s response. Our actions and campaigns will continue uninterruptedly. The North and East Syria People's Initiative will keep up with the outcome of the campaign. The campaign is not restricted to the Kurdish people, it also concerns other peoples. The collected signatures represent the will of the people, and our people will protect their will. This silence must end. Institutions and organizations should respond to the demand of the people.”
