The event organized by the Democratic Institutions Platform on the 77th birthday of Abdullah Öcalan, held at Kanarya beach in Istanbul (Küçükçekmece), continued despite a police attack and detentions. Tables were set with food brought by participants at the gathering, which was attended by many people. Banners reading “The sun born in Amara rises in Imralı” and “Bi rêbertiya azad ber bi yekitîya neteweyî ya demokratîk” (With free leadership toward democratic national unity) were displayed, while slogans such as “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Apo (A.Öcalan)), “Rojbûna te pîroz be serok Apo” (Happy birthday, Leader Apo), and “Human dignity will defeat torture” were frequently chanted.
During the speeches, police attempted to seize a poster of Abdullah Öcalan displayed at the event and attacked the crowd. Four people, including Sebahat Tuncel, an activist from the Free Women’s Movement (TJA), were detained. The police later withdrew following public reaction.
Haydar Ergül, editor of the Democratic Modernity magazine, said that “Öcalan is 77 years old and seeks, one last time, to secure a status for the Kurdish people. The conditions are favorable for this. Rojava, Southern Kurdistan (Başur), Northern Kurdistan (Bakur), and Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) are all in motion. The Kurdish march toward freedom is also the beginning of liberation from violence in the Middle East. For this reason, the February 27 Call opens the door to a new era.”
Azime Işık, who was released from prison after 26 years, said: “In fact, it is the birthday of all women. We came into existence thanks to Abdullah Öcalan, and I celebrate Öcalan’s birthday on behalf of all women.”
Sebahat Tuncel, speaking at the event before being detained, said: “Abdullah Öcalan placed women at the center of the entire struggle. With the slogan ‘Jin, jiyan, azadî’ (Woman, life, freedom), women were positioned at the core of both oppression and liberation. Great sacrifices have been made, but today women have assumed the leading role in the struggle for freedom in the Middle East and across the world.
We are now in a new period, a new phase of struggle. This period began in Imralı. Despite conditions of isolation, the perspective put forward has expanded the goal of peace and a democratic society. The Kurdish people have reached this point through their will and struggle, and from now on we will build a free life together. Peace is only possible through the recognition of Kurdish rights. Without recognition of the Kurdish language, identity, and culture, there can be no peace. Recognize the citizenship rights of the Kurds, and the rest will be organized by the peoples themselves. For peace, we must accept one another. We will win, we will win, we will win.”
Veysi Aktaş, a member of the Imralı Secretariat, who spoke last, said that April 4 signifies not only the birth of an individual but also the rebirth of oppressed peoples and especially women. He stated: “Just as Göbeklitepe represents a zero point for humanity, the birth of Abdullah Öcalan is also a beginning, a milestone for the free Kurd. Intolerance toward the photograph of an actor engaged in negotiations is, in fact, an attack on the peace process. We see that the mentality of denial and monism, stretching from the past to the present, is still influential. Without a change in this mindset, neither democratization nor peace can develop. Problems cannot be solved through pressure, but through negotiation. Peace is only possible with the recognition of the identity, language, and culture of peoples. First, you must recognize the existence and values of peoples. Without respect, brotherhood cannot be built. One must act in accordance with the spirit of the February 27 call. This people is embracing peace, and the government must assume the same responsibility. Enough is enough; from now on, it is time for peace.”
The event concluded with the cutting of a cake alongside children, followed by songs and traditional dances accompanied by ululations.
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