Keskin Bayındır, Co-Chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), urged the release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the recognition of Kurdistan’s status at the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s congress in Diyarbakır (Amed) on Sunday. Addressing the gathering, Bayındır emphasised, “Let’s free Abdullah Öcalan, resolve the Kurdish issue and give Kurdistan its rightful status.”
Bayındır began by commemorating the 33 “Dream Travellers” who perished in the Suruç (Pirsûs) Massacre. He condemned the century-long oppressive policies against the Kurdish people, stating, “We know all powers have converged in the Middle East, particularly in Kurdistan, in the 21st century. These hegemonic, capitalist states have never solved the region’s issues. Only Abdullah Öcalan has provided a solution.”
The congress was marked by chants of “Bijî serok Apo” from the audience. Bayındır highlighted that the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the Kurdish and Palestinian issues, could only be resolved through democratic means:
“Abdullah Öcalan proposed Democratic Confederalism for Palestine, suggesting that Israel and Palestine could find solutions together. For Kurdistan, the solution is Democratic Autonomy. We state once more from Amed that the solution lies with Abdullah Öcalan. The resolution of the Kurdish issue is tied to achieving status for Kurdistan. We will continue to fight for Kurdistan’s status and the freedom of the Kurdish people as long as we live.”
Bayındır criticised the severe isolation of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been under heavy confinement for 25 years in the İmralı Island Prison of Turkey. He remarked, “Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is striving for peace despite his harsh isolation. His stance is directly related to the Kurdish issue and Kurdistan’s status. If we secure Kurdistan’s status, we break the isolation. Breaking this isolation is not only a matter for the Kurdish people but also for those in Turkey who seek peace and freedom. Let us unite to end this isolation, free Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan, solve the Kurdish issue, and secure Kurdistan’s status.”
Additionally, Gülşen Özer and Abbas Şahin were elected as new co-chairs during the congress.
