The vigil action launched on 20 July 2023 in the Martyr Rustem Cudi (Maxmur) Refugee Camp for the physical freedom of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan has been continuing with determination for more than two years. Every five days, a new group takes over the vigil. Groups participating in the action receive education based on Öcalan’s perspectives on the Peace and Democratic Society Manifesto. The action, which also includes various activities organized by the people and workers, entered a new stage on August 8 following the message Öcalan sent to the people of Maxmur, and has been continuing with even greater enthusiasm.
Young people taking part in the vigil at Maxmur Refugee Camp once again expressed their commitment to Öcalan.
Starting his remarks by condemning the isolation imposed on Öcalan, a young man named Welat Bilehî said: “We have been in action for nearly three years for President Öcalan’s physical freedom. We young people have duties and responsibilities. We must fight for our cause and fulfill our duties. As Maxmur youth, we have never taken a step back and will always stand behind our Leader’s cause.
During the action, we are educating ourselves, especially by reading the Peace and Democratic Society Manifesto and trying to improve ourselves. President Öcalan initiated a process, many major steps have been taken by the movement, and they fulfilled their responsibilities. But the state has remained silent on this matter. Unfortunately, heavy isolation is still being imposed on the Leadership. The state must take steps immediately so that peace can be realized. The Council of Europe must also stand by its decisions and the ‘Right to Hope’ for Öcalan must be implemented immediately.”
The commission must meet with Abdullah Öcalan
One of the young women participating in the vigil, Rojîn Ebûzêd, noted that the vigil had been continuing for a long time and said: “As the people and youth of Maxmur, we are in action for our Leader and walking on his path. President Öcalan had sent us a message, and we drew great strength from that message. That message added great enthusiasm to our action. The established commission must meet with Öcalan and steps must be taken immediately. This process should not be delayed any further.”
Rojîn Ebûzêd also stated that the Council of Europe must pressure Turkey to implement its decision recognizing the ‘Right to Hope’ for Öcalan.
Another young man, Serhat Yûsûf, said that as Maxmur youth they are ready to fulfill any duty in this process: “As the people, and especially as the youth of Maxmur, we have been holding a vigil for nearly three years for the physical freedom of Öcalan. Our action continues without interruption. As Maxmur youth, we are ready to fulfill our duties in this process because our Leadership is our red line. As young people, we are in action for Öcalan’s physical freedom and we will intensify these actions. We are ready to do whatever is required for our Leadership.”
Yûsûf added: “As is known, our Leader has initiated a peace process. We believe in our Leader; this process will bring peace to the whole world. As the people of Maxmur, we reiterated our promise to the Leadership by receiving education based on Öcalan’s manifesto during this process. In these training, as Maxmur youth, we once again demonstrated how committed we are to our Leadership. But we see that the state is not taking any steps on this matter. This is unacceptable. The Turkish state must take steps; if it does not, it must know very well that the dove of peace cannot fly with one wing.”