The Global Öcalan Books Day, which began on 7 December and runs until 14 December, will see events around the world, including readings, discussions and seminars in Europe, Latin America, the USA and the Middle East.
This initiative is an integral part of the wider international campaign known as “Freedom for Öcalan – A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question“, which aims to bring an end to Abdullah Öcalan’s more than two and a half years of absolute isolation in Turkey’s İmralı Island Prison.
The Global Öcalan Books Day has launched the website ocalanbooks.com, which offers Öcalan’s writings in at least 16 languages, including English, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Throughout the week, various international events will include book readings, discussions and seminars on all continents.
Abdullah Öcalan’s continued solitary confinement for over 24 years has raised significant human rights concerns worldwide. The wider campaign, launched on 10 October with press conferences in 74 locations around the world, aims to raise awareness of the protracted Kurdish question in Turkey and to advocate for a political solution.
Germany, Spain, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark and Italy are among the countries hosting numerous events, including book launches, readings and discussions. Special attention will be given to the German edition of Öcalan’s book “Democratic Civilisation, Ways out of the Crisis of Civilisation in the Middle East”.
Similar activities are planned in Australia, with a reading of the English edition of Öcalan’s “Defending a People” at the NSW Parliament House in Sydney on 11 December. Switzerland, France, the USA, Cyprus and Greece are also actively participating in the global movement with events in various cities.
The overall aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the Kurdish question and to build international support for Öcalan’s participation in finding a political solution. The campaign represents a diverse coalition of social movements, political parties, communities, trade unions, activists, intellectuals and millions of Kurds and supporters worldwide.
