As part of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, democratic solution to the Kurdish issue” campaign, Kurdistanis and their supporters organized a march and rally with the participation of hundreds of thousands in Cologne, Germany on November 16. Commenting on the rally and the messages given, Co-Chair of the Kurdish Democratic Society Congress in Europe (KCDK-E) Zübeyde Zümrüt said that the rally signaled a new era for ending the isolation and ensuring Öcalan's freedom. Underlining that the isolation continues, Zübeyde Zümrüt said: “The isolation policy in İmralı continues unlawfully. The process that started with an international conspiracy continues in an aggravated manner in İmralı Island despite the right to hope for 26 years. However, we are increasing our struggle by saying 'Freedom for Leader Apo, not tomorrow but now'. As we enter the second year with our peoples and friends against this unlawfulness, we continue to work with a stronger will. The attitude of the peoples against isolation was clear. It clearly showed this at the Cologne rally.” 

 

'THE ADDRESS OF THE SOLUTION IS IMRALI'

 

Stating that the rally was the product of a year of work, Zübeyde Zümrüt emphasized the importance of the messages given at the rally and said: "On November 16th, The Kurdish people and their friends came together and gave a very strong message to the international community and Turkey. In that square, not only Kurds but also women, youth and people from different peoples raised a single slogan; 'İmralı is the adress of the solution.' This was a clear call to both international powers and Turkey; The isolation must be lifted and Leader Apo's physical freedom must be ensured."

 

Zübeyde Zümrüt

 

'YOUTH AND WOMEN MARKED THE RALLY'

 

Zübeyde Zümrüt stated that the intense participation of youth and women in the rally was remarkable and that this situation is important in terms of the point reached by the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan and the continuity of the struggle. “The energy of the youth and the strong participation of women showed that our struggle has been socialized. With every step taken for the freedom of Leader Apo, this will of peoples will grow even more. We aimed to carry out our struggle in the form of a more social organization.”  

 

'THE STRUGGLE WILL NOT STOP'

 

Zübeyde Zümrüt stated that the people's reaction against the isolation is clear and unambiguous and drew attention to the message of Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MP Ömer Öcalan, who met with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, and continued as follows: "The message brought by Ömer Öcalan increased the excitement of the people. However, it was criticized that this message was limited. Our people said very clearly; 'This struggle will not stop until the isolation is lifted and Leader Apo is freed'. Our rally had a great resonance both in Turkey and globally. The rally was magnificent. However, we cannot say that we have achieved success yet. Therefore, we will not be complacent. The struggle will continue exponentially until Leader Apo is freed. In the coming period, we will announce our work to the public. The peoples' struggle will not end until the isolation is lifted and the Imrali gates are opened. This is a period of writing a new history and this history will be a history in which the walls of isolation are broken down and freedom is won.”