A major campaign titled “Freedom for Abdullah Ă–calan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Issue” has been ongoing for months in many European countries, led by both prominent and anonymous Kurdish exiles.
The campaign is also underway in Cyprus, primarily by the Kurdistan Cultural Center “Theophilos,” following a press conference held last October.
As part of this campaign, actions are being prepared both in Cyprus and in major European cities, marking the 25th anniversary of the arrest and isolation of the great Kurdish leader on February 15.
It was on the same day in 1999 when Ă–calan was blindfolded and handcuffed from Nairobi, Kenya, onto a Turkish aircraft before ending up in the prisons of Imrali and being tried for leadership of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
On Monday, the Democratic Kurdish Council of France (CDK-F) and the Kurdish Women’s Movement of France (TJK-F) embarked on a 25-day march from the French capital, which will culminate in Strasbourg and the European delegations there.
On Tuesday, the marchers gathered at the Kurdish Cultural Centre “Ahmet Kaya” to announce their participation in the major campaign to send 100,000 postcards to the prisons of Imrali in the Sea of Marmara as an action to end the isolation of Abdullah Ă–calan. Kurds then went to the local post office to send their own postcards.
Speaking at a press conference, the spokesperson for CDK-F mentioned that the anniversary of the global conspiracy against the Kurdish leader is approaching, and there has been no news about his condition for three years.
It is true that since March 2021, neither Ă–calan’s lawyers nor his relatives have been able to contact him, with no answer from the Turkish authorities as to why this is happening. Despite Ă–calan in the past commenting and expressing his views on the evolution of the Kurdish movement, he remains in solitary confinement and has no contact with other prisoners recently transferred to Imrali Island.
Cyprus could participate in the campaign to end the isolation and release of Ă–calan, exactly 50 years after the Turkish invasion. It would be particularly symbolic for the Republic of Cyprus itself, political parties, organisations, and society to send thousands of postcards to the prisons of Imrali, with the recipient being the Kurdish leader.
It would be a clear message in support of the peace process and a political solution, which Kurds across Europe persistently demand. It would constitute a clear condemnation of human rights violations, which have significant meaning for us here in Cyprus.
A stance in favour of the right of Kurds to national self-determination, autonomy, and statehood in their ancient lands. A statement of resistance and a cry of solidarity for all peoples who fight – in the mountains or the cities – against the beast called the Turkish fascist state. A reminder of “WE DO NOT FORGET” which should mean or must mean much more than a memorial of our homeland.
