Director of the Unite union: campaign increases pressure in Europe

The International Director of Unite The Union, one of the largest trade unions in Britain, Simon Dobbins, spoke to ANHA agency about the “Freedom for Abdullah Ocalan, the political solution to the Kurdish issue” campaign, which was launched last October 10, in 74 centers around the world to demand With the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan and the political solution to the Kurdish issue.

A member of the Britain-based Freedom for Ocalan initiative, Simon Dobbins, expressed British unions’ support for the campaign and said: “This is a great initiative to bring together unions, academics, jurists, local and international politicians, and civil society organizations in many countries for the freedom of Mr. Ocalan.” The campaign indicates in addition to demanding an end to the isolation imposed on Mr. Ocalan, pressure is also increasing for his release so that he can play his role in the democratic political solution to the Kurdish issue.”

 “The campaign will create pressure across Europe.”

Dobbins highlighted the strict isolation imposed on leader Abdullah Ocalan, pointed out that the international community must stand against it, and criticized the lack of action and lack of efforts by international institutions and organizations in this regard. He said: “We see that Mr. Ocalan’s conditions have worsened even more since August 2019. He does not he has been able to meet with his lawyer and family since 2019, and his last phone call with his brother in March 2021 is evidence of this, and the international community must rise up against Turkey. The positions of the Council of Europe, the Committee against Torture and the European Court of Human Rights are very weak so far, despite some criticism regarding... "During the dialogue with Ocalan, they did not insist that Turkey must adhere to international and domestic standards. This campaign will undoubtedly put great pressure on them across Europe to fulfill their promises regarding his arrest under Turkish law."

Attacks on the Kurds and silence

Simon Dobbins referred to the attacks of the Turkish occupation state on the Kurds and Rojava and said: “In addition to increasing pressure on Mr. Ocalan, the Turkish state is intensifying and escalating its attacks on the Kurdish people outside its borders as well, and the recent attacks that targeted the infrastructure in Rojava are a clear attempt to Turkey seeks to cause great suffering to the people of the region and eliminate the democratic administration that was newly established there, thus paving the way for the revival of ISIS. The international community has another duty to intervene to protect citizens in accordance with international laws and prevent the revival of ISIS and the return of its oppression.”

 “We consider Rojava a vital state.”

Dobbins explained that the built society in Rojava is based on the model of leader Abdullah Ocalan and the belief of the Kurdish people in gender equality, democracy, freedom, peace and social justice. He said: “We value all these things and as a trade union movement we also give them importance, and most of our countries accept them as vital and fundamental rights.” On the other hand, we see a comprehensive violation of civil rights, human rights, and workers’ rights in Turkey, as women’s rights are violated, and independent unions, LGBT rights, and freedom of thought and expression are under attack.”

 “The union will continue to support the campaign.”

Simon Dobbins pointed out that international powers are not doing enough to stop the Turkish state and put an end to it, and explained: “With the call for the freedom of Mr. Ocalan, calls to protect society in Rojava are also increasing, and the global campaign will certainly be useful in pressing for a political solution to the Kurdish issue.” The British union campaign will continue to support it.”

T/ Satt.

ANHA