President of the European Free Alliance (EFA) Lorena Lopez de Lacalle who came to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) 4th Ordinary Grand Congress, stressed that Turkey is violating the international laws with the isolation imposed on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

 

EFA is conducting active political work in the European Parliament and following the political developments in Turkey and especially the Kurdish issue. Lacelle came to Turkey in 2019 and followed the hearing of Selahattin Demirtaş in the courtroom. Lacelle stressed that EFA is a platform that recognizes the national self determination. Lacelle stated that she observed that the Kurds are face to face with a process of oppression and attrition and that they were very concerned about this. 

 

Lacelle stating 'Turkish regime is acting democratic in the international platforms but Turkey is a dictatorship', said Turkey has the characteristics of a fascist regime. As an example, showing the absence of judicial independence in Turkey, Lacalle, said the judiciary in Turkey is an instrument to silence the opposition. Lacelle pointing out that Europe is remaining silence against the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the basis of the solution to the Kurdish issue, said: "This silence is caused by the fact that PKK is still on the terror list. However, there is a strong civil society movement in Europe demanding freedom for Öcalan. Lacelle stating that there is a struggle in the European Parliament for the freedom of Öcalan, underlined that Turkey is violating international law by imposing isolation on Öcalan. 

 

'TIME FOR JOINT STRUGGLE'

 

Lacelle said: "It is against international law for a person to be alone on an island for such a long time. There is an initiative demanding the freedom of Öcalan in the context of human rights in Europe. I think Öcalan is a peace warrior. He was captured as a peace fighter. He is still drawing a political map and creating theory, even though he has been alone in isolation for so long."

 

Lacelle who stated that she came to Turkey to attend the HDP Congress, mentioned the words of the newly elected co- chairs saying 'It is time to work together for peace', said that after this they will not only be in solidarity but also will be in joint truggle and active cooperation.

 

'HDP'S WOMEN INSPIRES US'

 

Lacelle stated that the struggle of the women of HDP inspires the European women, said: "We, the women in Europe have seen that the organization of the women in HDP is further developed than ours. Especially the Co-chair system. It is very important that women have the right to equal say and status in the party and political movement. We came to learn from this experience." 

 

'WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE WOMEN OF KOBANÊ'

 

Lacelle stating that they have learned a lot about the struggle of the Kurdish women by examining the women's struggle in North and East Syria and Kobané, said: "The women in Rojava and Kobané have taught us that revolution is not possible without feminism and democracy can not be possible without feminism too."

 

Lacelle stating that they want to establish an organizational struggle with the women in Turkey and the Middle East, said: "We want to knit local, national and regional communal associations. We need your support. Because there is a lot European women have to learn from the colonial experiences. We will be together shoulder to shoulder until we build a better world." 

 

 

MA / Berivan Altan