As part of a global international campaign marking the first year of the Freedom for Öcalan – Political Solution Now campaign, the Scottish Trades Unions Congress (STUC) is set to organise a series of events across Scotland from 1-10 October, demanding freedom for Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. Representing over 550,000 workers through 40 affiliated trade unions, the STUC aims to raise awareness about Öcalan’s prolonged isolation and the broader Kurdish question.
Öcalan has been imprisoned in near-total isolation on Turkey’s İmralı Island for 25 years. His ideas have sparked movements advocating for real democracy, women’s liberation, and ecological sustainability, particularly in Kurdish-led North and East Syria. The STUC’s events, including press conferences, panels, and protests, will coincide with similar activities planned in multiple countries including Germany, France, and Spain, as part of a coordinated effort to mark the second anniversary of the campaign advocating for his freedom.
On 2 October, the STUC is scheduled to host a press conference at its headquarters, where a letter addressed to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will be presented. This letter will highlight the isolation imposed on Öcalan and the urgent need for a political solution to the Kurdish question. The STUC is calling for solidarity and mobilisation among trade unionists and supporters to amplify the message of freedom for Öcalan and to address the ongoing struggles of Kurdish people.
The congress’s initiative takes place against a backdrop of increasing global attention on the Kurdish cause, with calls for dialogue and political solutions gaining traction amid regional conflicts. As protests and discussions unfold, the STUC emphasises the need for international solidarity to challenge the ongoing repression faced by Kurdish communities.
Meanwhile, both Cambridge and London will play host to discussion events launching a new graphic novel profiling the Kurdish leader’s thought and struggle. ‘Freedom Shall Prevail’ author Sean Michael Wilson will speak at both events to discuss his work and the Kurdish cause.
Alongside these activities, an event titled ‘Letters from the Prison to the Future: Abdullah Öcalan on ‘Economy” will take place on 9 October at the Friends Meeting House in Brighton. This gathering will explore Öcalan’s critical perspective on capitalism, which he describes as an “external power monopoly”. Participants will engage in discussions on his revolutionary ideas concerning economy, cooperatives, and unions that have influenced movements in North and East Syria.
The date of 9 October also marks the anniversary of Öcalan’s capture in 1998 and the Turkish invasion of Syria in 2019, which resulted in the bombing and occupation of the Alouk water station—vital infrastructure for the region. The event aims to raise awareness of these historical injustices while highlighting the #Water4Rojava campaign’s efforts to demilitarise this crucial resource.
All the events serve as focal points for drawing attention to Öcalan’s isolation, which has persisted with no contact from family or legal representatives for over three years. Organisers emphasise that these activities are not just about one individual but are representative of a larger struggle for rights, autonomy, and justice for Kurdish people worldwide.
