Leader Abdullah Öcalan attaches great importance to local administrations in Rojava

Member of Parliament for the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, Ömer Öcalan, confirmed during the meeting on İmralı Island that Leader Abdullah Öcalan emphasized the importance of his situation. In an interview with Mezopotamya News Agency regarding the content of the meeting held on February 26, he shared details of the discussion.

The families met on İmralı with Leader Abdullah Öcalan, alongside Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar, Ergin Atabey, and Mahmut Yamalak.

Ömer Öcalan stated that they held a meeting with the Leader lasting approximately two hours, noting that they have met with him six times so far. He added that his health condition is good and stable.

Ömer Öcalan said: “The Leader addressed many issues and made evaluations on several points. In the first meeting, Leader Abdullah Öcalan discussed matters related to Iran, Syria, and Iraq, and shared his expectations regarding what may happen.”

He continued by stating that during the meeting, the Leader focused on the measures that should be taken in response to these developments, adding: “In previous meetings, Leader APO had said that our people must take precautions, and our institutions must undertake the necessary measures, because Iraq is finished and Syria is divided. From now on, if Iran does not review itself and work to consolidate democracy, there will be an issue of intervention in Iran. We are now in the second phase of this intervention. The first intervention was a highly intense war that lasted 12 days. The current intervention is broader in scope, its geographical area has expanded, and a major intervention is taking place.”

Ömer Öcalan explained that the Leader approached the matter simultaneously from both a freedom perspective and a security perspective, stating: “How can we protect the security of our people, and how can we liberate them? There is a complementary relationship between these two concepts. If you can protect the people’s security, you take an important step toward their freedom. Then you value freedom and give it its true meaning. But what mentalities pave the way for major massacres in our geography, in Kurdistan and in the country? This must be stated clearly: the cost of chauvinistic statements and a threatening approach is heavy, and the people are the ones who pay the price.”

Ömer Öcalan further emphasized the efforts being made to implement Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call within the framework of democratic political work, noting that the current discussions must move to a new stage. He added: “The Leader said during the meeting that the current process is progressing slowly, but despite this slowness, the path for democracy has been paved. He stressed that the present level has opened space for democratic political activity. The Leader also said: ‘We have clarified everything up to now; from now on, practical steps are needed.’ This is extremely important for both the Kurdish political movement and its theoretical framework. Meetings, conferences, and congresses are being held, and organizational work is ongoing in cities and districts. The Leader emphasizes the need for concrete and tangible steps and for pursuing a practical policy. We must achieve results, and this is a duty for both sides. Responsibilities lie with both sides, and the Leader says that the groundwork has been formed and the space has been opened; our institutions and the political party can accomplish much.”

Ömer Öcalan drew attention to the fact that during the meeting, the Leader also focused on the issue of local administrations, continuing: “The issue of local administrations is an important one. The Leader dwelt on this subject during the meeting. Alongside central administration, there is a need for legal reforms concerning local administrations. The Leader stressed that urgent legal reforms must be carried out in order for local administrations to become more effective. He also referred to the Mardin Metropolitan Municipality and mentioned Mr. Ahmet Türk, saying that he should return to his duties. The Leader attaches great importance to ending the trustee appointment system.”

In this context, Ömer Öcalan noted that the Leader also addressed the “Right to Hope,” adding: “The Leader said, ‘The Right to Hope is an important issue. My situation has been discussed in Parliament. Certainly, my situation is important and must be clarified, as my situation is at the same time the situation of the Kurdish people.’ At that moment, his brother Mehmet Öcalan intervened, saying: ‘Our people now want you to leave here and live under free conditions.’ The Leader responded: ‘My departure from here is the departure of the people, and the departure of the people is my departure.’ He also pointed to the need for legal amendments in this regard, emphasizing that he did not focus solely on his personal case but repeatedly stressed the importance of the Right to Hope.”

Ömer Öcalan further stated that the Leader attaches great importance to local administrations in Rojava, to Kurdish autonomous administration, and to the fair distribution of revenues. He said: “From the beginning, the Leader has struggled for the Kurds in Syria to be able to stand firm and stand on their own feet. He is waging a great struggle and trying to manage diplomacy under these difficult conditions. He also sets important programs before our party. Leader APO played a very significant role in the recent agreement. He had previously made numerous assessments concerning Syria in general and Rojava in particular. He believes that the current existing states should disappear. Some parties promote state propaganda and wage a major psychological war against the liberation movement and politicians. However, these matters are meaningless. Our people are making great sacrifices, and considerable effort is being exerted in this regard.”

Ömer Öcalan stated that during the meeting they informed the Leader that during the attacks on Rojava, people in Europe took to the streets and stood against the genocide that was being attempted. He said: “Leader APO sent his greetings to our people living in Europe and stated that he is working for them as well, that he expects a legal settlement in this regard, and that he is doing his utmost to achieve it. He said: ‘Please convey my greetings to our people in Europe.’ We also discussed the Kurds in Central Anatolia and Anatolia; Leader Apo’s greetings were directed to them as well. He emphasized the importance of the solution process for their existence, saying: ‘They have preserved their existence until now.’ His greetings were not limited to Central Anatolia but extend to all our people in Anatolia who were displaced during the Ottoman era yet still exist and have preserved their identity. He said: ‘The instrument of the new era is politics democratic politics and law and they too must engage in political work under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party.’”

Ömer Öcalan concluded by noting that the Leader also focused on the Kurdish language during the meeting, stating: “Leader APO said: ‘The Kurdish language is important.’ He added: ‘If the mind is divided, the language is also divided. If you do not have political power, you will not have cultural power either. If you do not have organized strength, you will not even be able to preserve your language.’ First, there is a need to activate our minds and political strength more effectively so that we can protect our values in terms of culture and identity. We must embrace our language and make the Kurdish language more effective. Even when we spoke Kurdish there, he said: ‘I have been here for 27 years; I have not spoken Kurdish directly with anyone for 30 years, yet my Kurdish is better than yours.’”

ANHA