It is a gathering of democratic Syrian figures, including Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and other ethnic groups, founded on October 9, 2019. The goal is to achieve freedom for the Leader Abdullah Öcalan, which is considered the legal gateway to achieving freedom for the peoples of the region, spreading civil peace, culture of brotherhood, and enshrining the principles of democratic rights required for a free life, both in theory and practice.
Reasons for Forming the Initiative
* Leader Abdullah Öcalan is a revolutionist against all forms of domination and oppression of peoples and nations. He is a philosopher, thinker, and people’s leader, and the creator and founder of the democratic confederalism system.
* He was kidnapped in an international conspiracy unparalleled in contemporary human history, in violation of all laws and conventions related to human rights and international public and humanitarian law.
* The Turkish state’s mock trial of the Leader Öcalan and its lack of justification, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, specifically Article 4; the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, specifically Article 7; the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 6; the American Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 8; and other international agreements, covenants, and charters, especially the United Nations Charter.
* The fact that he has been denied access to his family, relatives, and lawyers is only a reflection of this. He has remained in solitary confinement, deprived of liberty, and tortured for 24 years. His situation is in a real danger.
* The exceptional situation in Imrali Prison, which violates all international laws and charters, as it relies on a system of isolation and illegal torture.
* The sensitivity of the Leader’s situation, his importance, his weight with the Kurdish people and all democrats worldwide.
* The Leader’s constant and repeated calls for peace and his ability to play a role as a peacemaker in Kurdistan and Turkey.
* His special status in Rojava, resulting from his nearly twenty years staying in Syria and establishing of strong relationships with our Kurdish people in Rojava and various components of Syria, including Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, Armenians, and others.
* The utmost strategic importance of thought and philosophy of the Leader Abdullah Öcalan, as they represent the most appropriate solution for the Kurdish people and all peoples yearning for freedom, democracy, and constitutional rights.
* The massive popular pressure in Syria and the world demanding the freedom of the Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
* The call of free thinkers, academics, human rights activists, lawyers, politicians, clerics, and celebrities worldwide.
* The personal, human, and moral sense of the importance of the Leader’s thoughts and philosophy in resolving human issues and the crucial role his freedom plays in establishing peace and security and spreading the culture of coexistence and brotherhood among peoples in the region.
The tasks of the members of the Syrian Initiative for the Freedom of the Leader
Promoting the Leader’s ideas and liberating him are two primary goals of the initiative. This is achieved through:
1- Communicating with political parties, civil society organizations, and influential figures, including academics, writers, thinkers, lawyers, human rights activists, politicians, intellectuals, scholars, and clerics.
2- Communicating with the Leader’s friends.
3- Communicating with the elite and prominent figures within Syria.
4- Communicating with countries and international organizations.
5- Providing periodic reports and statements about the Leader’s situation.
6- Conducting legal and human rights research on the violations committed by the Turkish state against the Leader, including (conspiracy, trial, decision, isolation, deprivation of liberty, and torture).
7- Creating a legal file in Arabic and English about the Leader to be shared with human rights and international organizations.
8- Conducting activities and events on social media platforms to promote the thought and philosophy of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and to join campaigns for the immediate and swift release of the Leader.
