Women’s conference in Beirut calls for freedom for Abdullah Öcalan

The International Conference on Women's Movements Experiences, held in Beirut under the slogan "In the footsteps of Jin Jiyan Azadi", continues on its second day.

The International Conference on Women's Movements Experiences, held in Beirut under the slogan "In the footsteps of Jin Jiyan Azadi", continues on its second day.

The third and final session of the conference discussed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas on women’s freedom.

Speaking at the session moderated by researcher Dr. Mey Eclan, Jineology activist Rojiyan Hisên pointed out that Kurdish women organized themselves based on Öcalan’s thesis. She noted that every step towards the development of women was taken through the ideas and philosophy of Öcalan.

Lawyer Rengîn Ergul, a member of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom, talked about the inhumane treatment experienced by Abdullah Öcalan on the prison island of Imrali and the legal situation in his case. She noted that the right to hope, which is recognized all over the world and means the release of a detainee after 20 years, is violated in Turkey and not granted to Öcalan, who has been held in solitary confinement since his forced departure to Turkey as a result of an international conspiracy in 1999.

Ergul stated that the fight against the isolation system on Imrali is insufficient and needs to be increased.

The last session, titled "What should be done to overcome the torture regime on Imrali?”, was moderated by Sewsen Şoman, Spokesperson of the Nun Initiative for Abdullah Öcalan's Freedom. Şoman denounced the torture regime executed on Imrali, which, she said, turned into a military restricted zone.

Sewsen also spoke about the denial of visitations and meetings with Abdullah Öcalan and his three fellow prisoners on Imrali, expressing concern over their health and safety.

The last session concluded with speeches about plans that could be implemented to achieve the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.