Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), made a speech demanding action over the continued imprisonment of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan at a Newroz celebration in Öcalan’s hometown of Halfeti (Xalfetî).
Bakırhan made a direct appeal to the government regarding Öcalan’s condition. “When will you create an environment where Mr Öcalan can live and work freely?” he asked.
Bakırhan stressed that the solution of the Kurdish question depends on Öcalan’s active participation in a meaningful dialogue. He added that while the government has acknowledged the possibility of a solution, it has yet to take concrete steps. He called, in particular, for an end to the “kayyım” (government-appointed trustee) system, which has repeatedly curtailed local Kurdish governance.
Sayın Öcalan’ın memleketi Halfeti’de “Barış ve Demokratik Toplum” çağrısına güçlü bir ses olmak için Newroz’un özgürlük ateşini harladık.
2025 Newroz’unun coğrafyamıza, eşitlik, özgürlük, demokrasi ve barış getirmesi umuduyla tüm halklarımızın Newroz’u kutlu olsun. Newroz Pîroz… pic.twitter.com/7C5CXB9mSx
— Tuncer BAKIRHAN (@tuncerbakirhan) March 13, 2025
Bakırhan argued that Öcalan’s vision goes beyond the Kurdish issue alone. Citing Öcalan’s long-standing calls for the empowerment of women, religious tolerance and the inclusion of ethnic minorities, he said:
“Mr Öcalan’s freedom is a prerequisite for building a democratic society. We must ensure that no one is imprisoned for their beliefs, no one is robbed of their identity and no region is silenced by imposed trustees”.
Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar also highlighted Öcalan’s role, stressing that the annual Newroz fire represents a collective determination to secure his freedom. “This fire will not die until the Kurds achieve true freedom,” she said. Uçar spoke of Öcalan’s 27 February call, describing it as “a path to coexistence” in Turkey and the wider Middle East. She urged not only Kurds, but all communities to heed Öcalan’s call.
“With the call on 27 February, we entered a new process. In the call, there is a method for peoples to live together, with women at the centre of democratic politics…The Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom will grow with Newroz. Today, it is important that the Autonomous Administration comes to life not only in Rojava but throughout Syria. May the peoples be enlightened….We will organise a hundred Newrozes and we will explain Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ everywhere.”
📌 Senên ke çîçega kolbezine binê vore ra vileyê xo kena derg û tîje ra qayît kena, sarê kurdî kî binê zordarîye ra sereyê xo berz keno.
📌 Newroz ateşi, Kürt halkına bir güneş oldu. O güneş 27 Şubat Çağrısı’yla başka bir ülke ve yaşam biçimi öneriyor.
📌 Sayın Öcalan’ın… pic.twitter.com/MlpCte8Rpv
— Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar (@cigdemkilicgun) March 13, 2025
Leaders present at the meeting drew attention to parallel processes unfolding elsewhere in the region, including in Syria, where moves to recognise Kurdish self-rule have gained momentum. They suggested that placing Öcalan at the centre of new negotiations and restoring local democratic rule in Kurdish-majority areas could serve as a model for multi-ethnic, pluralistic governance beyond Turkey’s borders.
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The celebrations culminated in the traditional lighting of the Newroz fire, followed by music and dance. Participants chanted “Jin, jiyan, azadî” (“Woman, life, freedom”) and “Bijî Serok Apo” (“Long live leader Ocalan”), underlining the depth of support for Ocalan’s release. The crowd pledged to continue working for dialogue, the return of elected local officials and comprehensive political reforms that uphold justice and equality.
