The ‘March for a Democratic Solution and Freedom’ from Amed to Ankara, which started yesterday under the leadership of the Democratic Institutions Platform, continues in Urfa on its second day. The action is taking place within the scope of the international campaign ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a political solution to the Kurdish question’ that was launched globally in October 2023.

Participants of the march, including DBP (Democratic Regions Party) co-chairs Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar and Keskin Bayındır, arrived in the Siverek district of Urfa in the morning. The activists were welcomed by a large crowd and then travelled to the district of Hilvan where they made a statement after the police prevented the march.

Speaking here, DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır said, “Our march is for a democratic solution, but they constantly put obstacles in our way. You cannot prevent our will and our march. Until today, you have not been able to achieve any results with obstacles. After Assad’s flight fled from Syria, a world war started in Rojava, Syria and the Middle East. This war is approaching here day by day. The centre of this war is our lands. But they seek to destroy the will of the Kurdish people who resist for freedom and peace with the help of gangs. They should know that this people will not accept your politics. We will never accept these policies. The key to peace in Rojava and Syria is the path of unity. There is a status in Rojava in which all peoples take part. If you try to trample this status, then your aim is enmity. For 13 years, the Democratic Autonomous Administration has been giving you messages of co-existence and declaring that they want peace. But Turkey is starting a war through the ISIS gangs. These days, they are announcing that they are preparing for an attack on Rojava. Do not prepare for war and occupation. Prepare for peace with the Kurdish people and the recognition of the status there.”

Remarking that the Turkish government constantly gives messages of war, Bayındır continued, “The whole world recognises the status of Rojava, but this government promotes war and does not recognise Rojava’s status. Kurds are one and will fight for their status. We will resist these occupation policies. The Kurdish people will achieve a status, and this is our right. Your mentality will not win, and you will lose. We offer a way for a solution. There is a way to a solution and this way is through Mr Öcalan. With his politics, mentality and foresight, Mr Öcalan is the only person who can prevent this war. This is a march for a solution and peace. Do not stand in front of it. We appeal to the Parliament, all parties and MPs. We call on the Parliament to convene an extraordinary and historic meeting for the solution of the Kurdish issue with all its power. We call on everyone to take responsibility to create the framework for the legal and constitutional solution of the denied Kurdish issue and to resolve it.”

Appealing to the Kurdish people and the peoples of Turkey, Bayındır said, “Now the oppressed peoples want a solution. They want an honourable and lasting peace. These peoples want to live freely on their land. History will write these days. Every individual must put forward their will for peace. 100 years of denial must come to an end, and everyone must fight for it. We want the parliament to take a decision to recognise the will of the Kurdish people, not to issue mandates for military action. Our peoples have the power and will for peace. We appeal to every individual of the Kurdish people wherever they live; we are going through historic days and we need to defend the gains of our people. The day is the day of unity.”

Speaking after, TJA Activist Çağlar Demirel said, “The sun of Urfa is warming Rojava and everywhere today. We are witnessing the war and the situation developing in Syria. As women, we present the address of the solution. We will never allow an attack on women's revolution. Our struggle will continue wherever we are. The status and women's revolution in Rojava sets an example for the whole world. Why attack a place where peoples, women and all beliefs feel free? We will develop women's struggle with the philosophy of ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom). The eyes of all peoples and the world are on Rojava, where an exemplary model for all peoples has come to life. We, women, will fight the attacks against this revolution. Our march offers a way to solve the Kurdish question. You cannot achieve anything with the policy of war. We point to Mr Öcalan as the interlocutor for a solution to the Kurdish question. Everyone knows who the addressee is. Mr Öcalan is the addressee of the solution and we expect steps to be taken for his physical freedom. The isolation of Mr Öcalan is still continuing. Open the doors of İmralı and ensure the physical freedom of Mr Öcalan. Let us achieve peace in Rojava and spread it to the whole Middle East. Let us realise this as women.”