NEWS CENTER - The International Conference on Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question started with the emphasis that Abdullah Öcalan's 27 February call should be embraced.

 

The "International Conference for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and a Solution to the Kurdish Question," hosted by the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), started in Rome. More than 300 people from different countries who support the international campaign for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and a Solution to the Kurdish Question are attending the two-day conference at the Frentani Congress Center.

 

According to Fırat News Agency (ANF) the conference was preceded by a short musical presentation and a performance focusing on the ideas of Abdullah Öcalan. The conference was opened by Yılmaz Orkam of the Kurdistan Information Bureau and Salvatore Marra, Head of International Relations of CGIL.

 

Yılmaz Orkan thanked CGIL, the Municipality of Rome and the participants for hosting the event. Emphasizing the importance of the international campaign, Orkan emphasized that new developments have taken place with Öcalan’s resistance in İmralı and the international campaign. Stating that the Kurdish struggle and Öcalan’s ideas affect all social segments, Orkan pointed out that the Kurdish leader seeks a solution not only for Kurdistan but for the entire Middle East.

 

SALVATORE MARRA: OUR ACTIONS AND STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE

 

Speaking afterward, Salvatore Marra, as the host, welcomed the participants and wished them success. Marra emphasized the importance of unions defending democracy in Italy, Europe and around the world and said that new laws are being passed to strengthen autocracies and dictatorships. Noting that Italy is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the liberation from fascism, Marra said that the struggle must grow. Marra vowed to continue to defend democracy, stating, “Our own actions and struggle will continue. We must vote strongly in the referendum on June 9 to defend democracy. We are one of the biggest unions in the world and right-wing extremists have attacked the headquarters of our union recently. Right-wing extremists see collective workers like us, like you, as the enemy. We will continue to bring people together for noble causes like the Kurdish cause. We believe in pluralism. We are seeking a political solution to the Kurdish question. Today, children are being killed by bombs, and we want a political solution to this.”

 

Remarking that right-wing leaders are targeting civil society, Marra continued, “We must be at the UN and we must use this power. We have made a great effort to get Palestine recognized and we have succeeded. We must continue this struggle. We must be the voice of the people who protest against Erdoğan in Istanbul. Even the mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has been imprisoned. Civil society representatives and activists are under pressure. We do and will continue to support this important cause. Violence is still going on in many places. War bells are ringing around the world. We also embrace Öcalan's incredible call and offer our support. While world leaders invite us to violence, Öcalan has invited us to peace.”

 

SMERIGLIO: OCALAN SHOULD RECEIVE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

 

Massimiliano Smeriglio, Member of the Rome City Council for Culture, welcomed the conference on behalf of the Mayor of Rome and stated that their support for Kurdistan has continued for years. Underlining that Abdullah Öcalan has created a new paradigm, Smergilio said, “Öcalan has developed an important paradigm against racism and monism. The Democratic Confederalism paradigm protects all peoples, women and the oppressed. Even America talks about freedom but there is no trace of democracy. Öcalan, however, talks about both democracy and freedom and this is very important. The Kurdish movement and Öcalan are taking a new political approach and talking about building democracy. This call is very important and I hope that it will be answered. I think Öcalan should receive the Nobel Peace Prize.”

 

KARIANE WESTERHEIM: MR OCALAN MUST BE RELEASED

 

Prof. Kariane Westerheim, who shared a message on behalf of Nobel Laureates that expressed their support for the global campaign, said: “I am proud to be here today. The ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign has made a huge impact. With the actions-activities and social pressure, the isolation in İmralı was partially broken and Abdullah Öcalan made a historic call on February 27. We hope that this peace process will continue and a solution to the Kurdish question will be achieved. Nobel Peace Prize winners have expressed their support for this call. Jody Williams announced his support for this call in the European Parliament. Once again, we say that the Kurdish question must be resolved. This call must be answered. He called for the laying down of arms and a discussion on the dissolution of the PKK. In his call, he also mentioned the brotherhood of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples and the will for a common life. He talked about the spirit of brotherhood. As Nobel Peace Prize winners, we offer our support to this call and this perspective. Mr. Abdullah Öcalan must be released. He should be able to play his role for peace.”

 

DUBBINS: WE NEED TO STEP UP THIS CAMPAIGN EVEN MORE 

 

Simon Dubbins of the International Network for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan & UNITE Union took the floor with a photograph of Abdullah Öcalan. Expressing his pride for participating in the conference, Dubbins noted that important steps have been taken for peace and said: “This process is very sensitive. We need to continue this campaign. This struggle must continue until Abdullah Öcalan is free. Our campaign continues in Britain.”

 

Dubbins continued, “We need to ensure the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. We need to step up this campaign even more. Abdullah Öcalan's freedom was a dream, but now it is being talked about as an important possibility. This is a very serious and important development. The attacks on democracy in Turkey continue. Öcalan has not yet been released and cannot play his role. Again, there's a storm brewing in the Middle East and there is war everywhere. The Kurdish struggle for freedom is like the struggle of our union. The values and ideologies of the Kurds match our philosophy of life. We will continue this struggle for freedom shoulder to shoulder with the Kurdish people.”

 

Zübeyde Zümrüt, spokesperson for the Freedom for Öcalan Campaign, thanked everyone who has supported the campaign and called for the struggle to be continued and expanded in line with Öcalan’s call.