The “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign, launched on 10 October 2023 in Strasbourg, received a powerful wave of support not only across Europe but also in Southern Kurdistan (Başûr), throughout Iraq, in Shengal, and in the Maxmur refugee camp.

This global initiative, aimed at protesting the severe isolation imposed on President Öcalan in Imralı Prison since 1999 and seeking a democratic resolution to the Kurdish question, has been embraced by diverse segments of society in Southern Kurdistan, by the Yazidi people in Shengal, and by refugees living in the Maxmur Camp.

Marches, rallies, panels, signature campaigns, cultural events, and diplomatic efforts, organized under the leadership of intellectuals, academics, artists, politicians, students, women’s movements, and youth groups, have expanded the campaign’s reach and impact across the region.

The campaign also highlighted that President Öcalan’s ideas on “Democratic Confederalism” and the “Women’s Liberation Paradigm” present a vital framework for peace in the region.

Here are the details of the campaign's progression in Southern Kurdistan, Iraq, Shengal, and Maxmur since its launch:

2023

14 October 2023

As part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign, a solidarity event was held in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî). The event was attended by numerous politicians, intellectuals, civil society activists, and academics. Participants voiced their support for the campaign through a public press statement.

21 October 2023

The Yazidi and Arab communities, led by the Autonomous Administration of Shengal, announced their participation in the campaign under the slogan “Freedom for President Öcalan, Autonomy for Shengal.”

At the same time, lawyers from Southern Kurdistan joined the initiative, emphasizing that the isolation imposed on President Öcalan constitutes a grave crime against humanity.

22 October 2023

Residents of the Martyr Rustem Cudi Refugee Camp (Maxmur) saluted the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign and declared their participation in the global initiative.

24 October 2023

The Shengal Arab Youth Initiative announced its participation in the global campaign under the slogan “Freedom for President Öcalan, Status for Shengal.”

25 October 2023

Led by the Arab Components Council of Shengal, a protest tent was set up as part of the campaign demanding freedom for President Öcalan. The tent action continued for three days with various events and demonstrations.

 28 October 2023

Arab women living in Shengal organized a march as part of the “Freedom for President Öcalan, Autonomy for Shengal” campaign.

31 October 2023

The Women’s Assembly of Binarê Qendîl joined the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign under the leadership of RJAK (Free Women’s Association in Kurdistan).

7 November 2023

A panel titled “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” was held in the Kelar district of Sulaymaniyah. The panel emphasized that the isolation imposed on President Öcalan is part of an international plan.

8 November 2023

The People’s Assembly of Binarê Qendîl also joined the internationally launched campaign under the slogan “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question.”

11 November 2023

The Ishtar Assembly in the Martyr Rustem Cudi Refugee Camp in Maxmur announced their participation in the freedom campaign for President Öcalan.

16 November 2023

As part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign, a seminar was organized in Sulaymaniyah by the Freedom for Öcalan Committee.

17 November 2023

The Maxmur Youth Movement (TCM) and the Maxmur Young Women’s Movement (TJCM) condemned the isolation imposed on President Öcalan and called on all youth to take to the streets to demand his physical freedom.

 24 November 2023

At the 5th International Book Fair held in Sulaymaniyah, the works of President Öcalan were displayed. His books received significant interest throughout the ten-day fair.

1 December 2023

At a press conference held at the Southern Kurdistan Representation of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Erbil (Hewlêr), the isolation imposed on President Öcalan was condemned, and a call was made for joint resistance against the policy of isolation.

11 December 2023

In a joint effort by the Shengal Young Women’s Union and the Shengal Youth Union, a booth was set up with the slogan “Read and share the works of President Öcalan” to promote his books.

23 December 2023

A mass march was held in Sulaymaniyah as part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign.

2024

5 January 2024

A reading campaign focusing on the works of President Öcalan was launched in Sulaymaniyah as part of the global initiative “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question,” initiated by Kurdish allies worldwide.

19 January 2024

The Diplomacy Committee of the Free Êzidî Women’s Movement (TAJÊ) sent a letter to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), drawing attention to the severe isolation imposed on President Öcalan.

22 January 2024

As part of the “Freedom for President Öcalan, Autonomy for Shengal” campaign, residents in Shengal began reading President Öcalan’s works.

 23 January 2024

In the Digur subdistrict of Shengal, residents held a reading session of President Öcalan’s books under the slogan “Where my defenses are, there I am.” Dexîl Şengalî, a member of the Digur People’s Assembly, stated that they would continue their struggle for the freedom of President Öcalan.

25 January 2024

In Shengal, the Arab Components, the People’s Assembly, and the Arab Women’s Assembly led a week-long event titled “Reading President Öcalan’s Thoughts.” Arab community members emphasized that the state had forgotten their regions, but that they were able to govern themselves thanks to President Öcalan’s philosophy.

26 January 2024

Led by the Mediban People’s Assembly, Arab residents of Shengal gathered to discuss the ideas of President Öcalan.

5 February 2024

In the Martyr Rustem Cudi Refugee Camp in Maxmur, an educational session was held on President Öcalan’s ideas as part of the activities marking the 15 February International Conspiracy (the day in which Öcalan was abducted in Kenya).

12 February 2024

Yazidi and Arab women in Shengal , along with Iraqi women activists, organized a workshop attended by 160 participants to advocate for the freedom of President Öcalan.

14 February 2024

In the Kelar district of Germiyan, Tevgera Azadî held events condemning the international conspiracy and calling for the physical freedom of President Öcalan.

16 February 2024

The “Freedom for Öcalan” Committee in Southern Kurdistan issued a statement declaring that President Öcalan’s freedom would pave the way for resolving the Kurdish question across all four parts of Kurdistan. The statement also noted that those who oppose this freedom campaign are violating the principles of national morality.

7 June 2024

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Committee in Southern Kurdistan sent a letter to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, calling for an urgent visit to Imralı Island Prison.

22 July 2024

In the “Garden of Leadership” in the Kersê Valley of Shengal, a traditional Dengbêj (traditional Kurdish storyteller and singer of oral epics) night was held in support of President Öcalan’s freedom.

23 June 2024

A march was organized by the Autonomous Administration of Shengal, calling for the physical freedom of President Öcalan. The message conveyed during the march was clear: President Öcalan’s ideas cannot be silenced.

2025

7 February 2025

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Iraq Initiative issued a statement marking the 26th anniversary of President Öcalan’s abduction and condemning the torture and genocidal policy being carried out against him in Imralı Prison. The initiative also called for strong participation in the campaign.

15 February 2025

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Committee in Southern Kurdistan held a public statement in Sulaymaniyah on the 26th anniversary of the 15 February 1999 International Conspiracy.

9 June 2025

The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Iraq Initiative released a statement supporting the international campaign “I Want to Meet with Abdullah Öcalan,” launched on 5 June by the European Freedom and Peace Platform (EFFP).

12 June 2025

The Freedom for President Öcalan Arab Initiative, along with a group of Arab intellectuals, announced their participation in the “I Want to Meet with Abdullah Öcalan” campaign and demanded his immediate release.