The aggravated isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Type F High Security Closed Prison and the discussions on the solution of the Kurdish issue remain on the agenda. Kurds and their supporters have been conducting a global campaign since 10 October 2023 for the lifting of the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, his physical freedom and the solution of the Kurdish issue.

 

While the campaign led by writers, journalists, politicians, artists and human rights activists continues, Abdullah Öcalan met with his nephew and a delegation after 43 months due to the imposition of a solution to the Kurdish issue and regional developments. In the family meeting held on 23 October, Abdullah Öcalan said, "Isolation continues. If conditions are right, I have the theoretical and practical power to move this process from the ground of conflict and violence to the legal and political ground."

 

ABDULLAH ÖCALAN: READY FOR A SOLUTION

 

While the message given after 43 months of talks was being discussed, new developments emerged in the Syrian arena. The overthrow of the 61 years Assad regime by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in a short period of time and the new attacks launched by Turkey and the affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) in North and East Syria changed the balance in the region.

 

In such an environment, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) MPs Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan held a meeting with Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı after a long break. Abdullah Öcalan emphasised once again that he is ready for the solution of the Kurdish issue and following message given by him: "This is a time for peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region."

 

ABDULLAH ÖCALAN AND NELSON MANDELA

 

Abdullah Öcalan's imprisonment, the global struggle for his physical freedom and his insistence on "peace and solution" are compared by many to the situation of South African leader Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison during his struggle against the racist regime and gained his physical freedom as a result of the global struggle.

 

TWO PEOPLES SUBJECTED TO RACISM

 

South Africa became an independent country in 1931 after being under British colonial rule for many years. However, racism in the country did not end. In 1948, the country began to be ruled by the apartheid regime, which is considered one of the most systematic racist regimes in history. While the political rights of Africans were restricted during this period, their right to be elected was taken away. Africans, who were prevented from living in the same neighbourhoods with whites and receiving education, could only live in their own neighbourhoods and receive education in the schools there. During this period, people were subjected to racial classification as "white", "black", "coloured" and "Asian" in the laws. "Whites" were given absolute superiority in every field. 

 

Mandela was a leader who ended the apartheid regime that ruled the country between 1948 and 1994 and led the country to democracy and freedom. With his life and struggle, Mandela is recognised as the symbol of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and around the world.

 

MANDELA'S STRUGGLE

 

Mandela was born in 1918 in the then Cape province and studied law as the "only black student" at Witswatersrand, one of the best universities in the country. After graduating from here, Mandela became the country's "first black lawyer". Mandela took part in the struggle against the apartheid regime in 1943. From the 1950s onwards, he became one of the leading figures of the African National Congress (ANC), the centre of the black freedom movement. However, he was banned from politics as a result of the regime's pressures.

 

Despite this, Mandela, who did not step back from his struggle, was captured in 1962 and tried for execution. Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. Mandela spent 18 years in the harsh conditions of Robben Island Prison, where he continued to organise his movement with his resistance. The apartheid regime, fearing Mandela's influence, transferred him to Pollsmor Prison in 1982.

 

GLOBAL FREEDOM CAMPAIGN YIELDS RESULTS

 

Mandela's life in prison led to increased international criticism of the apartheid regime. Campaigns were organised for Mandela's release. As a result of the campaigns, Mandela was released on 11 February 1990 at the age of 71 after 27 years of imprisonment. Mandela's release from prison was recognised as a symbolic victory not only for South Africa but also for the struggle against racism worldwide.

 

Mandela, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 with the then South African President F.W. de Klerk, was elected as the first black president of the country in the first elections held in 1994. This election was recognised as one of the most important turning points in the country's history. Mandela made significant contributions to the construction of a society in which different colours and cultures live together in peace by achieving national reconciliation during his administration.

 

DID NOT ACCEPT TURKEY'S AWARD

 

Mandela defended the freedom of Palestine in this process. Mandela emphasised that South Africa would not be free until Palestine was free. Mandela refused to accept the 1992 Atatürk Peace Prize, which Turkey had agreed to award him, because of "accusations of human rights violations against the Turkish government".

 

Mandela, who did not run again when his term of office expired, handed over the presidency to Thabo Mbeki in 1999 and retired from politics. Mandela, whose health condition gradually deteriorated since 2011, died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95 due to respiratory tract infection.

 

GLOBAL FREEDOM CAMPAIGNS

 

There are many similarities between the lives and struggles of Mandela and Abdullah Öcalan, who was born on 4 April 1949 in the rural neighbourhood of Amara in the Xelfetî (Halfeti) district of Riha (Urfa). While Mandela defended the rights of black people who were oppressed and ignored by the colonialists and whites throughout his life, Abdullah Öcalan wants the restoration of the rights of those whose languages and identities are ignored today, especially the Kurds. Both leaders left the villages where they were born at a young age and pioneered youth movements in metropolises, where their social and political movements were based.

 

Mandela did not back down from defending the rights of the oppressed during his 27 years of imprisonment. Abdullah Öcalan has been continuing his efforts for "peace and solution" since the day he was brought to Turkey on 15 February 1999 with an international conspiracy and held in a cell in İmralı Prison.

 

Mandela was wanted to be isolated from the people during his imprisonment. Abdullah Öcalan has been held under heavy isolation conditions for more than 25 years. This isolation was maintained as absolute isolation for 43 months. So much so that not a single news was received from Abdullah Öcalan.

 

The "freedom" campaign for Mandela is today being carried out for Abdullah Öcalan on a global level. Millions of people have been shouting the demand for "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, solution to the Kurdish issue" in demonstrations and events for more than a year.

 

LETTER FROM ÖCALAN FOR MANDELA

 

Öcalan has frequently emphasised Mandela's struggle in his evaluations from the past to the present. In his letter on Mandela's death, published on 5 December 2013 in Özgür Gündem newspaper, Öcalan drew attention to Mandela's place and guidance in the history of the struggle.

 

Öcalan had used the following expressions in his letter: "The history of the peoples of the world is mostly shaped through the callous insolence of those trying to hold the masses in their grip. This insolence at times appears because the whole world sees this oppression but turns a blind eye to it, at times through the evil of totalitarianism and the banality by which it is fed. While the perpetrators of evil constantly bow their knees in shame and beg forgiveness or become a dark chapter in the book of history, the struggle against the banality of evil and rising totalitarianism appears in the only thing soaking all the soils of the world at the same time: the tears of the oppressed human being.

 

'MANDELA AND THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM'

 

Mandela and the struggle for democracy and freedom that he pioneered are the very basis of what defines the concept of struggle for those who have adopted the principle of free and equal life. We cannot talk about people like Mandela in terms of the past. For individuals who have won their place in the hearts of the peoples such as he did bear the fate of playing the role of Prometheus. Neither the day they decide to carry the fire nor the way they carry it is coincidental. It is a struggle to honourably oppose the destruction caused by the capitalist modernist system which the rulers impose in the course of history.

 

To tear apart the pages of history written by the rulers and to intervene against what is considered history, considered fate, proves that the fire of the South African people and Mandela has kindled the oppressed of the entire the world. In this era of uprisings when they wanted to create a 'terrorist', 'despot' and 'traitor' from the oppressed, Mandela through his wise, joyful and courageous attitude accomplished to remain full of hope even in the most difficult times of imprisonment. He completed his struggle, this political period that became his life, as a free human respected by the whole world, freely and as a source of inspiration.

 

'THE GREAT LEGACY THAT MANDELA LEFT'

 

The other side of the grief that we are feeling today is the joy in the faces of his people who gained freedom together, and the blow that this people dealt to the rulers. The fist that rose in South Africa – we see this even today – became the fist of all oppressed people whose hopes were to be crushed in the prisons and struck fear in the hearts of those who imprison them. The prison bars are cold and rusty like the hearts of those who are cowardly enough to put courageous humans behind bars, but the great legacy that Mandela left to all of us is never to surrender, not in prison, not even in the most difficult moments.

 

Mandela, to whom I was travelling in order to consult him because of his experience before I was abducted in an international act of piracy, will continue to live as a part of our big family, together with me, the Kurdish people and the vast majority of those in the squares and mountains of the whole world who laugh in defiance of grim-faced rulers.

 

We had mutual heartfelt dedication and friendship with him. His sensitivity and dedication for the Kurdish people fostered deep respect and dedication in our hearts for him. He was a shining star that enlightened the peoples of Africa. We are determined to have that star shine on the people of the Middle East.

 

Our big family should not bow its head as we say farewell to one of our wisest, one that never bowed his head. Amicable greetings to the people of South Africa and all oppressed who see a comrade in Mandela!

 

We hope that we all will live and die as free citizens in free countries, in honour and peace, just like Nelson Mandela…"

 

LAWYERS FIGHT FOR ÖCALAN'S FREEDOM

 

Many of the lawyers who fought for Mandela's freedom are today calling for Abdullah Öcalan's freedom and making international contacts. Mandela's lawyer Essa Moosa, as a member of the International Initiative for the Freedom of Öcalan, has participated in many conferences and vigils.

 

In one of his speech, Essa Moosa said: "There are striking similarities between the struggle of Nelson Mandela and the struggle of Abdullah Öcalan. Öcalan's situation, the isolation he is subjected to, is much worse than the isolation Mandela was subjected to. Mandela was generally held with other political prisoners. The isolation in İmralı is in violation of international law."

 

MA / Semra Turan