KON-MED condemns German ban on symbols during Long March

On the occasion of the anniversary of the international conspiracy against Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan, a Long March will be held today in Frankfurt. The action will be attended by 150 internationalist politicians, journalists and artists.

The German police said it was forbidden to carry pictures of Abdullah Öcalan during the Long March. In a written statement made on behalf of KON-MED (Confederation of Kurdish associations and institutions in Germany), the co-chairs said: “We do not accept and strongly condemn these bans, which do not have any legal and humanitarian understanding. It has no sense to ban the carrying of pictures of Leader Öcalan. We demand that this decision be reconsidered immediately.”

The co-chairs addressed the German government, asking “what do you want from the Kurdish people and the Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan?”

KON-MED called on people to “stand against the bans by attending the Long March which will kick off from Frankfurt on Sunday 6 February.”
‘We don’t accept this ban’

The long march, organized and attended by 150 internationalist politicians, journalists and artists from all over the world, wants to draw attention to the conditions in which Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan has been kept for 23 years in Imrali.
The statement said: “Leader Öcalan’s ideas have grown and become more universal over the course of 23 years and have become a source of inspiration for the peoples of the Middle East and the world. The Kurdish people and their friends are determined and demand Freedom for Öcalan!”

KON-MED addressed the German government asking what its role is in the Imrali system and continued: “We call on all of our components, especially federations, parliaments, women, youth, faith institutions, and democracy forces to participate strongly in this march and in the Freedom for Öcalan campaign.”