Under the banner of “Time for Hope”, a broad discussion has been organised in the Italian city of Rome to demand the freedom of political prisoners, including the founding leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, as well as the right to self-determination and freedom for the Kurdish people.
The event coincides with the 25th anniversary of what is known in the Kurdish community as the international conspiracy against Öcalan, which forced the PKK leader to leave Syria on 9 October 1998 and eventually led to his arrest in February 1999.
The panel, held in two parts at the Ararat Cultural Association, began by discussing Öcalan’s days in Rome and the isolation he currently faces on Imrali Island.
Abdullah Öcalan stayed in Rome for a few weeks after he left Syria. From Syria, Öcalan flew via Cyprus to Greece and Moscow. On 12 November he travelled on to Italy, accompanied by an Italian Member of Parliament, where he was arrested on the basis of a German arrest warrant. During this period, thousands of Kurds living in Europe travelled to the Italian capital.
After the German Government waived an extradition request on 23 November, Öcalan was released from house arrest in December 1998 and left Rome in January, before his capture in Nairobi, Kenya on 15 February 1999.
Giovanni Russo Spena, spokesman for the Freedom for Öcalan Campaign, opened the panel, emphasising the international community’s responsibility in Öcalan’s ongoing 24-year captivity. He stated, “If Öcalan has been imprisoned for 24 years and is currently held under severe isolation, the international community bears significant responsibility.”
Spena further asserted that the isolation imposed on Öcalan has transformed into a form of torture and called upon not only the Kurdish people but also people worldwide to take action to break the isolation and support Öcalan.
Following Spena’s remarks, former Green Party member Paulo Cento took the floor, highlighting that Öcalan’s struggle extends beyond Kurdistan’s borders. “Öcalan’s ideas and struggle have transcended boundaries, and his case is a just and legitimate one. This honourable resistance should be supported not only by the people of the Middle East but by the global community, and Öcalan’s ideas should be embraced,” he said.
Cento urged for a mobilisation in Europe for Öcalan’s freedom, stating that Europeans who bear responsibility for Öcalan’s arrest should work towards securing his freedom.
Michela Arricale, a researcher and writer, drew attention to the conditions of Imrali Prison during her speech, describing Öcalan’s treatment as inhumane. She criticised European Council member Turkey for violating international laws by maintaining a regime of isolation on Imrali and noted that the European Council’s silence makes it complicit in the isolation. She concluded by stating, “What is violated on Imrali is humanity itself.”
Amedeo Ciaccheri, Mayor of Rome’s 8th District, emphasised the importance of Öcalan’s paradigm for global rights. He argued that Öcalan offers an alternative to the capitalist system, which addresses many of its problems. Ciaccheri criticised Europe for supporting the Turkish state’s war against the Kurdish people and called for Europe to end its support and work towards lifting Öcalan’s isolation.
In the second part of the panel, the presentation included the third volume of Öcalan’s “Sociology of Freedom” and the comic book “Time for Hope” by renowned Italian cartoonist ZeroCalcare, which portrayed Öcalan’s life. ZeroCalcare emphasised the significance of Öcalan’s paradigm and the Rojava Revolution for the European left, highlighting that Öcalan’s ideas could provide solutions to many contemporary crises.
Academic Laura Corradi then discussed key points from Abdullah Öcalan’s “Sociology of Freedom” in her presentation.
The panel concluded with a visual presentation showcasing Abdullah Öcalan’s struggle and legacy.
