On 11–12 April 2025, an international conference titled Freedom for Öcalan – A Political Solution for the Kurdish Question will be held in Rome, drawing over 350 registered delegates. Organised by the Global Campaign for Freedom for Öcalan, the event brings together parliamentarians, trade unionists, lawyers, activists, and representatives of civil society from across the world. The programme includes panels on the Imralı isolation system, international legal frameworks, and the transformative power of Abdullah Öcalan’s democratic society paradigm. The conference will also feature a keynote letter from Nobel Peace Laureates and various forums dedicated to future perspectives and strategic planning.
Medya News spoke with two of the key speakers of the conference: Professor Kariane Westrheim and Zübeyde Zümrüt, the spokesperson of the Freedom for Öcalan Campaign. Zümrüt is the current co-chair of the KCDK-E, the umbrella organisation representing Kurdish communities in Europe. She is a veteran Kurdish politician who was forced to leave Turkey in recent years and has been at the forefront of the campaign since its launch in October 2023, mobilising international networks and highlighting Öcalan’s democratic paradigm as a global alternative.
Professor Kariane Westrheim is a Norwegian academic and long-time advocate for Kurdish rights. She is the chair of the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) and has worked extensively on human rights, peace processes, and education in conflict zones. She is also a contributor of Medya News with her excellent opinion articles. Known for her principled stance on the Kurdish question and her scholarly work, Westrheim will deliver a key message at the opening of the Rome conference, presenting the joint statement from Nobel Laureates Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi.
Medya News interviews Kariane Westrheim and Zübeyde Zümrüt on the upcoming Rome conference
Medya News: Kariane, could you tell us about the upcoming event in Rome?
Kariane Westrheim: The Global Campaign Freedom for Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question is holding an international conference in Rome on the 11th and 12th of April. So far, more than 350 delegates have registered to attend.
What does the presence of these delegates signify?
Their presence signals clear support for Mr Öcalan’s recent call for peace. Thousands of individuals and organisations are now backing the global campaign and the peace process between the Kurds and the Turkish authorities. And we expect even more support to come.
Has there been any response from international institutions?
Yes, indeed. The UN, members of the European Parliament, and several states have all expressed support for a potential peace process—though of course, it’s still fragile.
Are there any notable endorsements you’d like to highlight?
Absolutely. Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi have penned a new letter that will be read out during the opening of the Rome conference. In it, they call for Mr Öcalan’s release and advocate for a peaceful resolution.
What message do they share in their letter?
They emphasise that in a world increasingly gripped by conflict, Mr Öcalan’s call for peace and democracy in Turkey shines as a beacon of hope for the people in the region.
What can you tell us about the conference programme?
It’s very timely and relevant to recent developments. We’ll have prominent speakers across the panels addressing critical topics—from the Imralı isolation system to the wider implications of Öcalan’s vision for democratic society across the region.
Finally, what is your hope for this conference?
When we see the mass mobilisation around the global campaign and this still-nascent peace process, I truly believe that the Rome conference could mark a milestone in the vital work being undertaken.
Medya News: Zübeyde, what makes this conference such a significant moment for the campaign?
Zübeyde Zümrüt: This is more than a conference—it’s a historic convergence of communities and movements engaged in the struggle for peace, dignity, and freedom. It’s the first major summit of the “Freedom for Öcalan – A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign in 2025, and it shows that this campaign is not just symbolic—it’s a collective political consciousness in action.
How has the campaign evolved since its launch in October 2023?
It has grown into a new kind of internationalism. People across five continents have mobilised—through protests, assemblies, vigils—making the call for Öcalan’s freedom a global moral imperative. We are not only raising awareness; we are transforming political culture through grassroots solidarity.
You mentioned some key achievements. Could you tell us more?
One major breakthrough has been the resumption of visits to İmralı. Since October 2024, five visits have taken place—an important step forward after years of absolute isolation. This is the result of global mobilisation and sustained international pressure. Öcalan’s ideas now resonate well beyond Kurdistan—they offer a democratic framework for any society seeking peace and autonomy.
What role does Mr. Öcalan play in this wider vision?
He’s not only a thinker—he’s a political actor whose imprisonment obstructs reconciliation. His paradigm of Democratic Confederalism, based on gender equality, ecology, and radical democracy, is a response to global crises—from authoritarianism to ecological collapse. His freedom is essential to unlocking broader political solutions.
Why is holding the conference in Rome particularly meaningful?
Rome holds symbolic significance. In 1998, Öcalan came here seeking peaceful solutions. His abduction was the start of his long imprisonment. To now return with a global movement demanding his freedom from the same city is an act of remembrance and renewed political commitment.
How do you see the way forward after this event?
This campaign is not ending with one conference. Our goal is to deepen the practice of Democratic Confederalism in everyday life and political structures. Öcalan’s poem, which I’ll read at the end of my speech, is a call for collective memory and future-making. This is a long journey—but one we walk together, step by step.
