Thousands gathered in Batman (Êlih) on Sunday for the ‘Democracy and Freedom’ rally, demanding Turkish authorities release Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan from İmralı Island Prison and commit to a democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue. Organised by the Democratic Institutions Platform, the event featured impassioned calls for dialogue, with banners reading, “The solution is clear” and chants of “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long Live Leader Abdullah Öcalan) echoing throughout the day.
Speaking at the rally, Tülay Hatimoğulları, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, urged the government to act responsibly, declaring, “Open İmralı’s doors and let Öcalan deliver his message to the Middle East.” She criticised the government’s trustee appointments in Kurdish-majority municipalities, condemning the policy as “anti-democratic” and equating the move to historical oppression.
Keskin Bayındır, co-chair of the Democratic Regi
ons Party (DBP), in his speech expressed optimism about the Kurdish people’s struggle, saying, “This fight will secure Öcalan’s freedom and resolve the Kurdish issue.” He calling for unity across all communities to counter authoritarianism.
Ayla Akat Ata, an activist with the Free Women’s Movement (TJA), also addressed the crowd, stating, “The [Kurdish] people want to hear Öcalan’s voice.” She denounced the suppression of Kurdish voices, highlighting the imposition of government-trustees on elected municipalities.
Demonstrators, including women in traditional Kurdish attire, carried banners and chanted slogans advocating freedom, democracy, and equality. Trustee appointees were a central target of criticism, with Hatimoğulları labelling them “thieves” who “stole the will of the people.”
Despite police interventions, the rally concluded with a march, as young participants reaffirmed their commitment to resistance with slogans such as “Our leader is Öcalan” and “Resistance is life.”
