Abdullah Öcalan sent a message to the people of Maxmur, saying: “Undoubtedly, with the progress of this process, our people will once again return to their own lands. We will address social, political, and legal matters with a collective approach.”
Abdullah Öcalan [Leader Apo] sent a letter to the resisting people who, due to the Turkish state’s oppression in Northern Kurdistan, have been living for 31 years in Etrûş, Bêhêrê, and Nînowa in Southern Kurdistan, and most recently in the Martyr Rûstem Cûdî Refugee Camp in Maxmur.
The camp residents gathered at the Martyr Sefkan Culture and Arts Center to hear the reading of Abdullah Öcalan’s letter.
Emotional moments were experienced during the reading of the letter. Shouting the slogan “Bijî Serok Apo!” (“Long live Leader Apo!”), the people once again declared their determination to resist.
Abdullah Öcalan’s letter to the residents of the Martyr Rûstem Cûdî Refugee Camp reads as follows:
“To the dear people of Maxmur,
I send my heartfelt greetings to all our people living in Maxmur. The people of Maxmur have played a very important role in the history of our freedom struggle and hold great value. Despite all the difficulties, through their practical stance they have shown that resistance is life, brought forth great heroes, and successfully shouldered the heavy burden of the struggle. Whatever the circumstances, they have proven that free life stands above all else. They possess the determination and dedication worthy of the Kurdish people and their struggle.
I believe that the people of Maxmur, just as they have been the backbone of our struggle in the past, will also take on the same role and mission in the process of building Peace and a Democratic Society. As the dynamic force of this process, it is their duty, born from their legacy of struggle, to take responsibility and lead. One point of our discussions also concerns the situation of our people in Maxmur. Undoubtedly, with the progress of this process, our people will once again return to their own lands. However, it must be understood that personal or family-based approaches should not take precedence. We will address social, political, and legal matters with a collective approach, and on this basis, move towards a solution.
Regarding the people in Maxmur, in Europe, and all refugees, I think as follows: all of your returns will be collective, and we will determine the geography. Do you want to return?
We will assume that the demand for return will be about half-and-half. We must think of return collectively. Within this framework, convey my greetings to the people of Maxmur.
On this basis, I send my deep and endless greetings and love to the entire people of Maxmur, especially the women and youth
