Suzan Akipa, one of the lawyers from the Asrın Law Office, said: “The intense interest and excitement felt at the meetings were directly focused on Mr. Öcalan. The people’s most fundamental demand was the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan.”
Under the leadership of the Democratic Institutions Platform (DEKUP), public meetings were held in many centers as part of the Peace and Democratic Society Meetings. The public meetings, organized in two parallel tracks in the central districts and towns of Serhed, Amed, and Dersim, were also attended by Veysi Aktaş and Çetin Arkaş, who were released from İmralı Prison. During the meetings, which attracted great public interest, assessments were made regarding the Peace and Democratic Society Process, while the public’s demands, criticisms, and concerns regarding this process were also heard. Even in the smallest districts, the meetings drew large crowds and concluded in recent days with gatherings held in Amed and Kars.
One of the speakers at the meetings was Suzan Akipa, a lawyer from the Asrın Law Office. Sharing her impressions of the meetings and the public’s main demands, she said that the main agenda of the gatherings was the historical course of the Kurdish question, denial policies, and the Kurdish struggle that developed in response to these policies.
Great interest at meetings
Lawyer Akipa emphasized that the topic that drew the greatest attention from the public was the living conditions on İmralı Island. She noted that one of the reasons for this interest was the participation of two individuals who had served as secretaries to Mr. Abdullah Öcalan during certain periods in the past. She said: “Life on İmralı Island, the conditions under which Mr. Öcalan is held, the relationships established with him, memories, and the nature of the negotiation table formed on İmralı were listened to with great attention by the public. The content of the meetings held by lawyers with Mr. Öcalan was also followed with interest. These topics made the leadership situation more concrete for the public.”
Akipa added that another core topic at the center of the meetings was Kurdish women. “Kurdish women were addressed as the most important dynamic and driving force of the Kurdish struggle. Comprehensive evaluations were made regarding women’s role in resistance, the impact of war on women, and women’s foundational roles in building peace,” she said.
The biggest demand is freedom for Öcalan
Suzan Akipa stressed that the strongest demand clearly expressed in the halls was Öcalan’s physical freedom. Noting that the public sees Öcalan as the guarantee of Kurdish freedom and Kurdish peace, she stated: “The greatest and most common demand is the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan. It was stated very clearly that he must be free both to meet directly with society and to participate in the peace and democratic society process under equal conditions. The situation in Rojava was also discussed extensively at the meetings. It was emphasized that no concessions would be made regarding the Kurdish gains achieved at great cost during 200 years of denial.”
People want real and lasting peace
Suzan Akipa noted that one of the common conclusions of the meetings was that the state has not taken any concrete steps for a long time. She stated that if a genuine Kurdish–Turkish peace is to be achieved, the state must urgently take action. She emphasized that these steps should primarily include political prisoners, sick prisoners, trustee practices, and democratic political spaces.
Continuing her remarks, Suzan Akipa said: “The people’s distrust towards the state was clearly visible at these meetings as well. This distrust is not an abstract feeling. It was openly expressed that not even a single concrete step to rebuild trust has been taken yet. The people very clearly state that if there is to be peace, it must be for the people and with the people. The view that a peace process conducted despite people cannot be real or lasting was strongly voiced.”
In this context, Suzan Akipa underlined that the talks conducted by Öcalan on Imralı should be shared with the public in a more transparent manner by both the state and Kurdish political actors. She emphasized that the intense interest and excitement felt at the meetings were directly directed toward Öcalan. Suzan Akipa said: “The participation of two comrades who had served in his secretariat made it feel as though a part of Mr. Öcalan was brought into the hall, turning these gatherings into a means for the public to establish contact with him. The enthusiasm and excitement that emerged can also be seen as a harbinger of Mr. Öcalan’s freedom.”
Meetings helpful to create roadmap
Stating that the meetings will not remain at the level of mere assessment, Suzan Akipa concluded her remarks as follows: “These meetings are not being treated as a done deal. The demands and criticisms voiced by the people, women, and meeting participants are being noted and are forming a roadmap for the upcoming period. These meetings were held at the direct request and initiative of Mr. Öcalan. The outcomes that emerge will undoubtedly be shared with him.”