KONGRA-GEL issued a statement to mark 4 April, the 76th birthday of  Abdullah Öcalan.

The statement from the co-presidency council of KONGRA-GEL said: "We celebrate the 76th birthday of Mr. Öcalan with deep love and respect. April 4 is the birthday of the free Kurd, the free woman, and the free person.

April 4 marks the beginning of a free life for the Kurdish people, who were brought to the brink of annihilation through policies of physical and cultural genocide. For this reason, our patriotic people, especially women, celebrate April 4 as their own birthday. On this basis, we sincerely congratulate all our people—especially women—on the occasion of 4 April.

We salute all our patriotic people who joined the march from Diyarbakır (Amed) to Amara under the leadership of the youth."

The statement added: "The Newroz of 2025, celebrated under the motto ‘Free Öcalan, Democratic Society,’ went down in history as the most magnificent Newroz and as a public referendum demanding the freedom of Öcalan.

From this point forward, all efforts across all fields will be focused on the goal of securing the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan. The physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan signifies a change in the state’s century-long policy of denial and destruction. The state's approach towards Öcalan reflects its stance on the issue of democratic resolution.

With his call made on 27 February—referred to as the ‘Manifesto of the Century’—Öcalan created a historic opportunity for the peoples of Turkey. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Kurdish people have offered their full support for Mr. Öcalan’s call."

However, added the statement, "to date, the government led by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has not responded to this historic call in a manner that reflects its strategic significance. The Freedom Movement and our people are observing the process with great sensitivity. All democratic forces who stand by Öcalan’s call for ‘peace and democratic society’ must take the lead in this process and play a role in advancing this historic opportunity on the basis of building a democratic society.

We salute all the events held in Kurdistan and abroad in celebration of Mr. Öcalan’s birthday. With the enthusiasm and excitement of reuniting with Free Öcalan, we wish success to our people and friends in all their efforts to make 2025 the year of freedom."