Call for participation in the Freedom march from Amed to Ankara

The international campaign ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question’ launched in October 2023 continues. A freedom march began on Monday in Amed (tr. Diyarbakir) and is scheduled to reach the Turkish capital Ankara on 20 December, with stopovers in Urfa, Antep, Adana and Mersin.

Many people gathered at the start of the action, with the women singing Kurdish revolutionary songs together. Representatives of many civil society organisations took part in the protest, including the prisoners’ solidarity association MED TUHAD-FED and many other institutions.

Kerem Canpolat, co-chair of MED TUHAD-FED, said: “Turkey is at an impasse, and we see the main reason for this situation as being the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan. To change this situation, we are starting to march from Amed to Ankara. Our aim is to build democracy in Turkey and find a democratic solution to the Kurdish question. We therefore hope that Turkish society will also support us. We are making our way to Ankara with a loud voice because we want a solution. The state must take the necessary steps to resolve the Kurdish issue as quickly as possible. No other problem can be solved without a solution to the Kurdish question. We appeal to everyone to work with us for a democratic solution.”

Kurdish musician Kadir Çat also took part in the opening event. Çat said: “The developments in the Middle East and in Rojava have once again clearly demonstrated the need for peace between all peoples in Turkey. Against this background, this march has a historic significance for the resumption of negotiations. We invite all our people to this march and say that the parliament is the place for a solution to the Kurdish question. Parliament must fulfil its task as quickly as possible and begin a peace process. The main aim of this march is to create a genuine coexistence for the peoples in Turkey. Our entire nation should take part in this peace march.”