ESMA MUHAMMED

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- Women all around the world raise their voices together by uniting for the “I want to meet with Abdullah Öcalan” campaign. Their struggle against years of isolation policies is not only a demand for the right to visit but also a symbol of women's freedom, the search for peace, and the struggle for equal life.

‘Öcalan is the symbol of freedom not for Kurdish people but for all humanity’

Neda Melki, a lawyer and human rights defender in Jazira Canton of North and East Syria, said the imprisonment of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the prison island of Imrali “is a crime against humanity”.

“Öcalan is the symbol of freedom and democracy not only for the Kurdish people but also for all humanity. The ongoing isolation is a violation of human rights and international law. The peace and co-existence project proposed by him is still in the collective memory of the people.”

The isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan is a violation of all international conventions, Neda Melki emphasized, saying that their demand to visit him is not only a human and legal right, but also a cornerstone of the struggle for freedom and peace. “However, the Turkish state keeps imposing an isolation on him, violating all international conventions.”

‘This campaign is a cry rising from the hearts of women’

“This campaign is a cry rising from the hearts of women,” said Nafia Esad, member of Mala Jin (Women’s House). “Our children lost their lives while fighting for freedom. For us, the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan means keeping our children's dreams alive. They thought that they would silence him by imposing an isolation on him, but they failed. The thoughts and ideology of Öcalan are now in the resistance of women, the tears of mothers, and the blood of martyrs. His freedom is not a personal demand, but the common demand of the people. As mothers of martyrs, we will struggle to the end.”

‘His thoughts strengthen women’

“Öcalan is not only a political leader, but also a friend and comrade of women,” said Arife Bekir, a writer and member of the Syrian Women's Council. His thoughts strengthen us, women, empowering us to participate in all facets of life more. In 1991, I had the opportunity to meet him and that moment was a turning point in my life. Now, I want to see him as free, like millions of women.”

Arife Bekir thinks that the thoughts of Abdullah Öcalan paved the way for the revolution in Rojava to be led by women. “Thanks to the paradigm of Öcalan, women now play an active role in all facets of life, including in the military and politics.”

‘The freedom of Öcalan is the freedom of humanity’

This campaign is not just a request for visiting Abdullah Öcalan, but also a symbol of women's freedom and the struggle of the people, women highlighted. “The freedom of Öcalan is the freedom of humanity, they said, calling on everyone to struggle in order to break the isolation.