Tens of thousands of Kurds and internationalist protesters marched in Cologne, Germany, on 16 November to demand freedom for imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question.
Internationalist activists from countries such as Iran, Germany, France, India, Bangladesh and Italy joined the rally to express solidarity with the Kurdish cause and to demonstrate how the struggle for Öcalan’s freedom has become a global issue, with voices from the world over underlining the importance of his freedom.
An international campaign for the freedom of Öcalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been on-going since October 2023. Hundreds of events have been organised worldwide in connection with the campaign, culminating in the march in Cologne on 16 November.
Medya News interviewed internationalists at the Cologne march. We asked them why the political paradigm developed by Öcalan resonates with them.
Italian activist Penny described Öcalan’s freedom as crucial to resolving the political instability in the Middle East, with far-reaching implications for the global order. She stated that Öcalan “represents the possibility of revolution for the entire world”.
Yan, from Tamil Nadu, the southernmost region of India, and a member of the May 17 Movement, stressed the importance of standing with all oppressed people around the world. He also praised the central role of women’s freedom in Öcalan’s philosophy and called for the PKK leader’s release.
