26 years of global initiatives for Leader Ocalan's  Physical Freedom

 ANHA agency highlights key events and initiatives that have taken place worldwide—especially in Europe—opposing the international conspiracy that led to leader Ocalan’s arrest in 1999.

The First Initiative

Following the leader’s arrest, the first major mobilization emerged in March 1999. Intellectuals, Nobel laureates, parliamentarians, lawyers, and civil society organizations from various countries formed the initiative “Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan, Peace for Kurdistan.” This initiative introduced Ocalan’s ideas to the international arena and established local advocacy groups. His writings were translated into multiple languages, efforts against capital punishment were intensified, and conferences were held globally to expose the circumstances of his arrest.  Ongoing signature campaigns were also launched as part of these efforts.

On December 10, 2001, political prisoners in Turkish and Northern Kurdistan prisons launched the “Campaign for Independence and Leadership Protection.” This campaign included hunger strikes that quickly spread across Turkey and Europe, lasting until February 15, 2003.

Protests Against Imrali Prison Conditions

On March 1, 2007, Ocalan’s lawyers issued a statement in Rome, revealing that he had been subjected to systematic poisoning. This triggered a campaign across all four parts of Kurdistan and Europe under the slogan “Ocalan’s Health is Our Health.”

On April 11, 2007, 18 activists in Strasbourg, France, began an indefinite hunger strike. In response, Ocalan sent them a message urging, “Live and resist.” Following his message, the hunger strike ended on its 39th day.

Ongoing International Solidarity

Despite decades of imprisonment, the global movement for Abdullah Ocalan’s freedom continues to grow, reinforcing calls for his release and highlighting concerns over his treatment in Imrali Prison.

European Parliament and Signature Campaigns

In 2007, then-Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Feleknas Uca, along with seven other parliamentarians, launched a petition calling for an independent medical team to assess Abdullah Ocalan’s conditions in Imrali Prison. Within a week, 103,417 signatures were collected and submitted to the Executive Secretary of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on May 11, 2007. The campaign was followed by hunger strikes in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan, ultimately leading to a CPT delegation visit to Imrali.

On May 1, 2007, the "Enough" campaign was launched across Kurdistan and internationally, making a significant impact.

Later that year, on December 15, 2007, a letter-writing campaign was initiated in Amed, with 900 letters sent to advocate for improved prison conditions for leader Ocalan. Hundreds more letters followed from various cities, addressed to the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Committee, and the CPT.

On May 23, 2009, a campaign was launched in response to legal actions against individuals using the honorific title for Ocalan. Within 48 days, 36,000 people submitted statements endorsing the campaign.

Record-Breaking Petition: Over 10 Million Signatures

On September 6, 2012, the "Freedom for leader Ocalan Initiative" launched a massive petition titled "Freedom for the leader and All Political Prisoners" in Brussels, Belgium. Over three years, the campaign spanned Europe, Turkey, and Kurdistan, gathering 10,328,623 signatures, which were officially presented to the European Council on February 13, 2015—one of the largest international petition efforts ever recorded.

British Trade Union Mobilization

In April 2016, the UK’s largest trade unions, including Unite the Union and GMB, launched a "Freedom for Leader" campaign. At least 15 unions joined in solidarity actions, including strikes and protests.

Since June 25, 2012, in Strasbourg, France—home to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and the CPT—a weekly "Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan" vigil has been held to protest the prison conditions in İmralı. As of today, the vigil has continued for 642 consecutive weeks.

Middle Eastern Advocacy: The Arab Initiative

In the Middle East, the Arab Initiative for the Freedom of  leader Ocalan was established, led by Egyptian intellectuals, marking the 22nd anniversary of the February 15 international conspiracy that led to leader’s imprisonment.

Middle Eastern and North African Women's Initiative

On June 4, 2022, activists from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) launched the NUN Initiative for  leader Ocalan’s Freedom during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon.

The Kurdistan Free Women's Movement (RJAK) led a campaign from April 11 to April 25, 2023, under the slogan "Leader Ocalan is Full of Hope." As a result, hundreds of women sent letters to the United Nations calling for his release.

Global Campaign in Over 100 Cities

On October 10, 2023, a worldwide campaign titled "Freedom for leader, Solution to the Kurdish Question" was launched in 74 cities. The initiative quickly expanded, reaching 105 locations and continuing its activities across the four parts of Kurdistan.

Hunger Strikes and Justice Vigils

On November 27, 2023, political prisoners in Turkish and Northern Kurdistan prisons began a hunger strike as part of the "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question" initiative.

In November 2023, "Justice Vigils" were launched in multiple cities across Turkey and North Kurdistan, demanding Ocalan’s physical freedom and supporting the ongoing hunger strikes.

Arab Legal Initiative for leader’s Freedom

A coalition of lawyers from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and other Arab countries announced that they are closely monitoring Ocalan’s health and legal status, raising serious concerns about his conditions.

In an official statement, the Arab Legal Initiative for leader's Freedom declared that, after extensive discussions, they had committed to defending leader’s rights and advocating for his physical release.

Amazigh Initiative for leader Ocalan’s Freedom

On September 20, 2024, representatives of eight Amazigh organizations, political movements, and parties announced the establishment of the Amazigh Initiative for leader Ocalan’s Freedom. The initiative aims to promote leader's philosophy and the Kurdish cause through cultural, media, legal, and artistic activities across Amazigh communities.

International Digital Campaign Against leader Ocalan’s Imprisonment

On October 8, 2024, the International Solidarity Network launched a global digital campaign in coordination with the 26th anniversary of the international operation against Leader Ocalan. The campaign included a viral hashtag campaign as part of the worldwide movement for leader and solution to the Kurdish Question."

Signature Collection Campaign in Latin America

On January 16, 2024, a continent-wide signature collection campaign was launched across Latin America in response to a call from various institutions, organizations, and movements, including trade unions, women's movements, and political parties. The campaign falls within the broader framework of "Freedom for leader Abdullah Ocalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Issue."

The campaign was officially announced during a press conference held at the CTA-Autonoma headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event saw the participation of numerous parliamentarians, representatives from women's movements, social movements, and trade unions. Immediate steps were taken to advance the demand for the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan, a shared goal among all attendees.

The Long March in France

On November 21, 2024, a press statement in Lanester, a district of Lorient, France, marked the start of the Long March initiative. The march aims to draw attention to the imprisonment of leader, who has been held in detention for 26 years. Beginning with 26 participants, the march will pass through 26 cities across France, culminating in a mass rally on February 15 in Strasbourg—the anniversary of the international operation that led to Öcalan’s capture.

Simultaneously, a Kurdish diplomatic delegation has embarked on a series of meetings as part of the Long March initiative. These engagements seek to garner political and social support for a just resolution to the Kurdish issue and advocate for leader’s physical freedom.

Iraqi Initiative for Leader Ocalan’s Freedom

On November 23, a collective of intellectuals, journalists, writers, artists, and politicians in Iraq announced the formation of the Iraqi Initiative for leader Ocalan’s Freedom through a written statement. The initiative aims to promote and disseminate leader's ideas through cultural and intellectual activities while advocating for his physical freedom.

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ANHA