Hêlîn Ümit, a member of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), said that there is a connection between the policies of capitalism, its position, the question of the liberty of the Kurdish community and the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan in a recent interview with Medya Haber TV.
Giving a stark assessment of the current state of affairs in Turkey, Ümit focused on the isolation of PKK leader Öcalan and the wider implications of the ongoing Kurdish conflict.
Ümit expressed deep concern about the worsening conditions of Öcalan’s isolation on İmralı Island, claiming that it has turned into a system that is tantamount to genocide. In her impassioned plea, she called for a concerted effort to address the issue, insisting that discussions should focus exclusively on securing the freedom of Öcalan and urging a united rejection of any alternative agenda.
Ümit appealed to the public and emphasised the vital role of Öcalan’s freedom for the general wellbeing and freedom of the Kurdish people. She acknowledged a growing awareness among the people, which she attributed to the intrinsic link between Öcalan’s freedom and the Kurdish community’s ability to live without restrictions.
Turning her attention to the wider political landscape, Ümit argued that what she called the genocidal war against the Kurdish people remains a defining factor in Turkey’s politics and economy. She said that a full understanding of Turkey’s political dynamics requires acknowledging the politics of İmralı and dismissing the notion of a detached democratic system as a misconception.
Addressing the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict, Ümit claimed that a significant number of people in Turkey are on the verge of starvation or drowning in debt. She accused the Turkish government of diverting attention from this economic crisis through special war operations, underlining the gravity of the situation. According to Ümit, the economic deterioration is a direct result of the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) pursuit of a war economy.
Ümit also took a strong stance against the ruling AKP, condemning its almost 25 years in power. She accused the party of orchestrating, tolerating, collaborating with and accelerating criminal organisations. Ümit argued that a conspiratorial bloc has been a feature of all Turkish governments since 1923, with the current coalition between the AKP and the far-right MHP representing the most sophisticated form. She held the government responsible for the formulation of the most conspiratorial and special war policies, which contributed to what she described as the darkest period of the country’s history.
