SIBELIA AL-IBRAHIM

Raqqa-Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has been imprisoned in the prison island of Imrali since February 15, 1999, being isolated from the world. On October 10, 2023, an international campaign demanding “freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question” was launched in 74 countries with the support of NGOs, unions, political parties and writers. Following the struggle against the isolation imposed on him and recent political developments, a delegation consisting of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder had a meeting with Abdullah Öcalan on December 28, 2024.

NuJINHA spoke to Şêrîn Qewas, Co-chair of the People’s Assembly in Raqqa, and Fatimê El-Elewî, Co-chair of the Conciliation Commission in Raqqa, about the issue.

‘We must join hands to support the peace process’

The meeting with the delegation from the DEM Party and the message of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan are very important, said Şêrîn Qewas. “The message of leader Öcalan aims to build peace in Syria, guaranteeing the rights of all people from different nationalities and ethnicities. This meeting (with Abdullah Öcalan) was held when the Turkish state and its factions were attacking North and East Syria, the Assad regime was overthrown and Syria was entering a new process. As the people of Syria, we must join hands to support the peace process. We must unite to build a new Syria, where people have a safe and peaceful life.”

‘Women have a great responsibility’

Women have a great responsibility to spread the message of Abdullah Öcalan to all countries, Şêrîn Qewas emphasized. “The Democratic Nation Project of leader Öcalan has been implemented by the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria. This project unites everyone and guarantees the rights and freedoms of everyone. The role of women is very important in establishing peace in Syria. Women of North and East Syria have inspired women around the world by participating in all facets of life, including politics, military, economy and social life. We make efforts to raise awareness among people by organizing meetings in order to have a peaceful Syria.”

Fatimê El-Elewî told NuJINHA that they supported the efforts of Abdullah Öcalan for peace. “As women, we are in solidarity with each other to support the peace project proposed by leader Öcalan for peace. We call on the international community to support the efforts for peace. The peace project of leader Öcalan will contribute to the establishment of peace and the end of conflicts in the Middle East.”