Martyrs' families: Ocalan’s physical freedom is essential for success of peace process

Families of martyrs from the rural areas of Girkê Legê spoke about the conditions of Abdullah Ocalan’s imprisonment on İmralı Island, where he has been held for 27 years, and the continued isolation imposed on him. They emphasized the need to secure his physical freedom to ensure the success of the Peace and Democratic Society initiative that he launched in February of last year.

In this context, Adel Murad, father of martyr Shilan Judy, who was killed in Tel Alo in 2013, stated that Abdullah Ocalan has spent 27 years in İmralı Prison and that the continued isolation imposed on him is inconsistent with humanitarian and international standards.

He added: “Securing the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan has become a fundamental necessity for enhancing the prospects of peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Murad stressed that any democratic solution process requires creating appropriate conditions that enable Ocalan to fulfill his intellectual and political role.

He also reaffirmed their continued demand for Ocalan’s physical freedom, describing it as a demand that reflects the aspirations of peoples for freedom and justice.

For her part, Jamila Murad, mother of martyr Shilan Judy, said that Abdullah Ocalan represents, for them, the values of freedom, peace, and coexistence. She noted that they remain committed to following his philosophy and principles despite all circumstances.

She explained that the isolation imposed on Ocalan over the past 27 years constitutes an obstacle to the development of any serious political process and called for an end to this isolation, enabling him to play a role in supporting the democratic solution process.

Jamila Murad further emphasized that securing Ocalan’s physical freedom would open new horizons for peaceful solutions and strengthen coexistence among peoples.

Meanwhile, Khalisa Hassan, mother of martyrs Mazlum Omar, who was killed in Tel Kocher in 2026, and Arkesh Omar, who was killed in 2018, stated that Abdullah Ocalan is the only figure capable of resolving the crises facing the Middle East. She argued that his continued imprisonment does not serve stability in the region.

She added: “Leader Ocalan’s physical freedom would constitute an important step toward the success of the peace process and the consolidation of security among peoples.”

She also affirmed that seeing Ocalan free among his people has become both a humanitarian and political demand for them.

The families of the martyrs concluded by stressing the need to intensify efforts to end the isolation imposed on Abdullah Ocalan and secure his physical freedom, describing it as a humanitarian and national demand that would contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability.

ANHA