The North-East Syrian People's Initiative announced its participation in the international campaign "Freedom for Öcalan and a political solution for the Kurdish question" in Qamishlo on Saturday.

The campaign, which was launched simultaneously in 74 countries on 10 October, unites social movements, political parties, municipalities, trade unions, activists, intellectuals and millions of Kurds and people in solidarity with the Kurdish liberation struggle worldwide around a common goal: the participation of Abdullah Öcalan in a dialogue for a just and democratic political solution to the Kurdistan question in Turkey, which has remained unresolved for more than a century.

The press conference at the Qamishlo Stadium was attended by representatives and members of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), non-governmental organisations, political parties, notables from Kurdish and Arab tribes, members of women and youth organisations, TEV-DEM (Movement for a Democratic Society) and hundreds of people.

The press statement was read in Kurdish by Henaa Xelîl and in Arabic by Enwer El-Esir on behalf of the People's Council.

The statement pointed out that millions of Kurds as well as Arabs, Syriacs and various people all around the world see Abdullah Öcalan as a representative of their political will. Öcalan is considered to be a solution and will for peace by the oppressed peoples, ethnic groups, religious, denominational, social circles and defenders of equality and ecology, it noted.

The statement noted that the Kurdish leader has been held in aggravated isolation for 25 years, denied contact with his family, lawyers and the world, and subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. “Still, Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s philosophy has inspired all circles. For this very reason, his struggle for freedom is a global cause and parties, organisations, institutions and individuals all around the world campaign for him.”

The statement pointed out the Kurdish question is at the same time an international issue as the Kurdish people see their political and cultural rights violated, subjected to massacres and displaced in millions. It called on everyone to struggle for the achievement of Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom and realization of peace “because Öcalan, with his powerful role and mission, can come up with a solution to the Kurdish question and other problems in the Middle East. For this very reason, the isolation imposed on him must be brought to an end and he must be granted physical freedom immediately.”

The statement concluded with an appeal to all women and youth organisations, as well as political parties and institutions to join the campaign, and vowed that the struggle would be enhanced with determination through political, legal and diplomatic efforts.