MALVA MUHAMMED

News Center- The “I want to visit Abdullah Öcalan” campaign launched by the European Forum for Freedom and Peace (EFFP) has attracted international attention.

Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan's “Democratic nation” idea presents a model of peaceful life for people of all nationalities. The model implemented by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria since the women’s revolution shows this idea.  

Human rights defenders, intellectuals and scientists think that the thoughts and efforts for peace of Abdullah Öcalan are important to build peace in the Middle East.

The “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” issued by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025 is not only a call for political solution but also a humanitarian project aiming to ensure justice, Sawsan Shouman, Spokesperson of the Women’s Initiative for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, told NuJINHA.

The meeting held with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the prison island of Imrali and the campaigns launched for his freedom have been taking place at a very sensitive period in which people demand realistic solutions and an end to destruction and bloodshed, Sawsan Shouman emphasized, adding:

“Öcalan is a thinker and philosopher fighting for humanity. He has a vision that regards peace and democracy as the path to salvation for the region (Middle East). Despite long years of isolation and oppression, he has come forward to take an initiative for peace. This initiative is a hand of dialogue extending for all groups, aiming at building an environment where the rights of all peoples are guaranteed and all identities are recognized.”

Sawsan Shouman believes that “The Manifesto for a Democratic Civilization” by Abdullah Öcalan is a call only for “Kurds, but also for all those who believe in freedom and democracy, including Arabs, Africans and Europeans.”

“The manifesto is a universal approach for all of humanity. Therefore, all believers, especially women, should launch campaigns for the freedom of Öcalan in cooperation with international organizations. Women play a vital role in the spread of the idea of freedom and its practical application. The struggle of women who believe in Abdullah Öcalan's thoughts have proved that they have overcome obstacles and changed their society in the region. Women should struggle not only for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan but also for building a free and just society. They should raise their voice by launching campaigns and raising awareness through media in cooperation with international human rights and women's organizations.”

Sawsan Shouman also talked about the “I want to visit Abdullah Öcalan” campaign. “This campaign is a solidarity movement that demonstrates how Abdullah Öcalan's thoughts have spread all around the world. Women should unite and show solidarity to strengthen the campaign. This campaign demands not only Öcalan's freedom, but also democracy and justice in the world. Kurdish women have extraordinary resistance and determination. Women are always at the forefront of resistances and struggles. Therefore, I call on all women to never give up their rights. Rights are not given but taken.”