A panel titled “From the Sleep of Death to the Construction of a Democratic Society” was organized by the Jiyan Women’s Assembly, the Kurdish People’s Assembly, and the Revolutionary Youth Movement (TCŞ), in London.
The panel was moderated by Gülten Stêrk, co-chair of the Kurdish People’s Assembly.
Stêrk said: “On the 27th anniversary of one of history’s darkest conspiracies, we have gathered here to discuss how the Kurdish people’s leader, Abdullah Öcalan, was kidnapped through an international plot and imprisoned on İmralı Island, and to honor the honorable resistance that has been waged against this captivity. I greet you all with respect, love, and the hope of freedom.”
She continued, emphasizing that the international conspiracy launched on 9 October 1998, targeted not only an individual but also the will of a people:
“This conspiracy failed to stop the march of freedom. For 26 years, Abdullah Öcalan has become a symbol of resistance, peace, and democratic life in the Imrali prison. His ideas continue to inspire peoples all around the world.”
The panel began with a short documentary screening about the conspiracy, during which participants frequently chanted “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Apo, Abdullah Öcalan).
Ömer Aksu, a member of the Revolutionary Youth Movement (TCŞ), read a letter written by Abdullah Öcalan, which sparked great enthusiasm among the audience with its message of resistance and freedom.
Zübeyir Aydar, a member of the KCK Executive Council, joined the panel via Skype. He stated that the international conspiracy was planned against Öcalan and said:
“The purpose of this plot was to weaken the Freedom Movement; they believed that once they captured Öcalan, the movement would become like other traditional Kurdish parties. However, the result was the opposite: the movement grew stronger both in Kurdistan and internationally. Today, we are in the period of Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom, and achieving that must be our main goal.”
Doğan Genç, a human rights defender, peace activist, and member of the Kurdish Community Centre, also spoke. He said the 9 October conspiracy was an attack on the will of peoples to live freely and aimed to deepen the Turkish-Kurdish conflict and dismantle the freedom struggle. However, he noted that resistance thwarted these plans, and Öcalan’s ideas have become a universal paradigm for coexistence and the building of a democratic society. He also commemorated the victims of the 10 October 2015 Ankara Massacre, saying: “This massacre, in which we lost 104 souls, was a dark attack carried out under state supervision, but their ideals continue to guide us today.”
Herish Hussain highlighted the significance of the current phase, stating: “We have not yet reached the moment of physical freedom, but what matters most is our active participation in this process, the struggle for Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom. We invite all our people and friends to join the march on 2 November at 1:00 p.m., from BBC headquarters to Trafalgar Square.”
In the closing speech, it was emphasized that despite Öcalan’s 26 years of imprisonment, his ideas continue to guide the struggle for coexistence, women’s liberation, and the construction of a democratic society.
Participants concluded the panel with the following call: “We are at the threshold of a new era. The paradigm of a democratic society places great responsibilities upon us all. Everyone must take part in this meaningful process. Let’s meet on 2 November, at the march from BBC to Trafalgar Square: Bijî Serok Apo – Jin, Jiyan, Azadî! (Long live Leader Apo – Woman, Life, Freedom!).”