Leader Ocalan: Provocations in Rojava must be stopped immediately

The Imrali delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), comprising Pervin Buldan, Mithat Sancar and Özgür Faik Erol, met with Leader Abdullah Ocalan on September 13. Following the meeting, the delegation issued a statement sharing Leader Ocalan’s assessments of the peace process and democratic society with the public.

The delegation said the meeting came at a time when claims, speculation and provocations surrounding notes recorded during meetings with Leader Ocalan had intensified, with the discussions taking up considerable space on Turkey’s agenda.

DEM Party officials briefed journalists on the discussions and the content of the Imrali delegation’s meeting with Leader Ocalan. They said Leader Ocalan had reiterated that some of the meeting minutes circulated publicly and which sparked the discussions had no basis in fact. They also said Leader Ocalan drew attention to discussions that emerged after his previous assessments of Idris Bitlisi, included in the “Manifesto for a Democratic Society,” were not made public.

To clarify the issue, Leader Ocalan issued the following message: “Recalling the alliance established by Idris Bitlisi between the Sunni Kurdish emirates and the Ottomans does not mean reviving it as it was, with all its shortcomings. On the contrary, the aim is to update the concept of the alliance that was established in the past for the benefit of princes and ruling authorities, in accordance with the interests of peoples and beliefs today. Undoubtedly, the historical memory of the Alevis and the concerns that emerged as a result of it must be taken seriously. The aim here is not to assimilate Alevism into Sunnism, but rather to enable Kurds and Alevis, with their respective identities and distinct characteristics, to become a constructive force in this new democratic alliance. What we are talking about is an alliance of peoples, not an alliance of princes. The aim is to establish an alliance based on equality and freedom, not domination. The revival of the Alevis also constitutes one of the most important pillars of this shared and democratic future.”

Part of Leader Ocalan’s assessments regarding developments in Rojava was also shared. He described the ongoing developments in Rojava as provocative, saying: “You kill a young man brutally and then use that as a pretext to enter the city. This is a provocation. This destruction targeting the basis for dialogue must be stopped immediately.”

Leader Ocalan’s assessments of events in Iran were also shared. It was stated that he considered the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK)’s policy correct, stressing that defending the people without coming under the influence of other parties was the right approach. It was also reported that Leader Ocalan stressed the need for Iran to immediately halt executions and end its attacks on Kurdish areas, saying: “If this does not happen, the Kurds will have the legitimate right to defend themselves, and Turkey should play a positive role in this matter.”

Leader Ocalan also sent a condolence message to Mehdi Zana, who died several days ago. In his message, he expressed his sorrow over Zana’s death, saying: “He made a major contribution to the people’s pursuit of self-determination on the basis of local democracy. I extend my deepest condolences first to Leyla Zana and to all members of his family.”

A-H

ANHA