In the first week of October, women marching from Amed (Diyarbakır) to Ankara concluded their journey on October 7 with a spirited final gathering at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Along the way, from Urfa to Antep, and from Adana to Mersin, they held enthusiastic rallies in every city, calling for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. They voiced this demand and their slogans loudly in Parliament, aiming to make their call heard across all of Turkey.
Undoubtedly, the march organized by the women of the Free Women’s Movement (TJA) carried great significance in terms of understanding and embracing the process correctly. Throughout the week, they made no other demands but the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, dedicating themselves entirely to this cause. They knew very well that resolving the Kurdish question and achieving democratization in Turkey depended on Öcalan’s physical freedom. They deeply understood that the path to a free life, for women in particular, and for society as a whole, would open only on this basis.
In essence, the women deeply believed that the Peace and Democratic Society Process was not about waiting for action from the state or the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government but about mobilizing as an entire society to advance the struggle for freedom and democracy. They profoundly understood that it was necessary to strengthen democratic social organization everywhere by visiting homes and neighborhoods, organizing people, and drawing them into the struggle. On this basis, they recognized the need to dismantle the anti-Kurdish and anti-women mentality and politics.
In this regard, the action titled “Marching to Freedom with Hope” inspired many circles. Holding the final event on October 7 also honored the memory of the brave woman leader Gurbetelli Ersöz, who fell as a martyr on October 7, 1997. At the same time, it represented a powerful protest on the 27th anniversary of the international conspiracy launched on October 9, 1998.
Moreover, the women’s action served as a significant response to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, who, during his parliamentary group speech on the same day, seemed to have forgotten his earlier words: “Let him come to Parliament and speak within the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) group; let him fully enjoy his right to hope.” While women were chanting “Freedom for Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan)” in Parliament, Bahçeli, speaking in the same building, not only ignored the issue of Abdullah Öcalan’s continued captivity on Imralı Island but also used an overbearing tone, issuing statements that overstepped all limits.
Some have tried to present the MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s statement, that several members of the Parliamentary Commission might visit Imralı Island to speak with Abdullah Öcalan, as a positive development, creating false expectations within society. Yet, a delegation of Members of Parliament from the DEM Party already visits Imralı almost every month to hold meetings. However, this does not change much. Why? Because Abdullah Öcalan has already done everything possible under the conditions of captivity on Imralı. In the current circumstances, there is nothing more he can do.
If the state and the government had kept their promises and shown even the slightest democratic inclination, Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom would have been secured long ago. But there has been no progress in this regard. Nothing has changed in the current conditions on Imralı. The state and the government have not taken a single step toward ensuring Öcalan’s physical freedom. This clearly shows that the state and the government are not keeping their word and have no genuine intention or program for resolving the Kurdish question or achieving democratization in Turkey. As Bahçeli has done, they continue to demand that Öcalan “do more,” even under the conditions of captivity on Imralı Island. Like the Commission, they are trying to buy time through deception and delay tactics.
Within the current process, it has become meaningless to expect anything from the state or the government. Behind closed doors, they are preparing on two fronts. The first is a draft law similar to the former “Repentance Laws,” which they plan to pass through Parliament to impose the disarmament and dissolution of the Kurdish Freedom Guerrilla. The second is the preparation for new military offensives against those who reject such an imposition. It is clear that both paths represent grave deceit and danger.
Therefore, there is nothing left to expect from the state or the AKP government in the name of the Peace and Democratic Society Process. In fact, there was little to expect from the very beginning. On February 27, when making the Call for Peace and Democratic Society, Abdullah Öcalan clearly stated that this call was directed not toward the government, but toward the opposition and all segments of society. Emphasizing that “no agreement has been reached,” he urged everyone to understand the process correctly and to embrace it with strength. He made it clear that the process was, above all, a movement for freedom and democracy, and that its success would depend on the organization and struggle of all sectors of society, especially women and youth.
Now, it is crucial for everyone to fully see and understand this reality. In this sense, the march of women who, in the first week of October, walked from Amed to Ankara while focusing on Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom holds great significance. It shows that all of us must understand the process correctly and embrace it with determination. But what does it mean to understand and embrace the process in the right way?
First and foremost, understanding and embracing the process in the right way means abandoning the mindset and attitude of expecting something from the state and the government. The success of the Peace and Democratic Society Process depends on becoming more organized and waging a stronger struggle. In particular, young people must fully grasp, understand, and put this truth into practice.
It is clear that what has been done so far within this framework remains weak and insufficient. Of course, it is not that nothing is being done, there are efforts but these are not enough to advance democratic politics or influence the political atmosphere. Current actions are small, fragmented, and ineffective. They lack continuity and coordination. No initiatives are being undertaken that could leave a strong mark on or shape the political scene. Clearly, there is a problem of organization. Instead of going door to door, reaching the masses, engaging with people face-to-face, discussing, educating, and organizing them, reliance is placed on calls made through the press. Such a method has almost become the dominant approach.
Moreover, the agendas of many actions differ. While they focus on criticizing and exposing the current government, they fail to establish a shared purpose and thus do not deeply affect the masses. They do not generate awareness or foster organization within society. Yet, the key to resolving all existing problems lies in the physical freedom of Öcalan. Therefore, all democratic actions must fundamentally focus on securing Öcalan’s physical freedom.
If you look closely, the conditions for strengthening democratic organization and action are favorable; the resources and opportunities are abundant. The Peace and Democratic Society Process and Öcalan have created such a situation. Therefore, all patriotic and democratic forces must clearly see this reality and seize the opportunity by developing organization and action.
Now we mark the 27th anniversary of the international conspiracy attack of October 9, 1998. This entire regime of repression and cruelty came into being with that attack and the Imralı isolation and torture system it produced. Now is the time to oppose that international conspiracy and to demand Öcalan’s physical freedom more forcefully. Slogans calling for the abolition of the Imralı captivity system and for Öcalan’s physical freedom must be raised everywhere. Once again, it must be shown that the power of the people is greater than fascist dictatorship. On this basis, we call on everyone to take part more strongly in the weekend actions condemning the conspiracy and demanding Öcalan’s physical freedom.