A message by the South Kurdistan Committee for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan was read at the Newroz celebration in Qandil in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) today.

Committee Member Shoreş Xidir read the message, which said the following:

“Dear citizens, we sincerely congratulate all those who participated in the Newroz celebrations, the leader of the libertarian peoples, Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], the martyrs of Newroz and all the martyrs of peace, freedom and democracy, the fighters resisting on the battle fronts in Rojava, the guerrillas in the free mountains, all political prisoners and families of martyrs, all those who struggle and suffer for peace, freedom and justice, and all peace-loving and libertarian humanity.

Dear friends, we are celebrating Newroz at a time when Leader Apo's 'Call for Peace and Democratic Society' is the main agenda of our people, the peoples of the region and the world. In his message, Leader Öcalan presented a manifesto for a solution to the Kurdish question and the peoples of the region. He asks us to understand the content of his call and at the same time to approach this phase with a responsible spirit, to see ourselves responsible for the success of this important and delicate transition. In his call, the leader takes a strategic approach to peace and gives societies, especially the Kurdish and Turkish peoples, the opportunity to put an end to war, massacre, division and conflict. For this reason, he presented the roadmap for peace and solution to the public at the highest level. Leader Apo, who has achieved many gains, values and great victories for our people for nearly 50 years, and who has brought us to such a level of consciousness, ideas, morals, politics and organization, calls on all segments of Kurdish society to play a leading role in the success of this struggle. If we act with responsibility and tolerance, we will be able to carry the burden of the revolution, the requirements of the time, and the burden of the new model of struggle that Leader Apo deems worthy of us.

We are celebrating the holiday of peace and coexistence of societies. Leader Apo's call gave us all strength and morale. He called on everyone to fight for peace and a solution. Just as our leader was the greatest and self-sacrificing fighter in the liberation war of our people, he is also the greatest fighter for peace and is ready for peace. We believe that the only request of Leader Öcalan is that we understand the content of his call and organize within this framework. First and foremost, as Kurdish society, it is important that we create a mental transformation within ourselves, come together in line with the principles and needs of peace and democratic society, strengthen ourselves and join the new struggle.

As the Committee for the Freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, we feel the responsibility and weight of Leader Apo's message and call. We will make every effort for the physical release of Leader Apo and fulfil the requirements of Leader Apo's manifesto in order to achieve peace and build a democratic society.”