Freedom for Ocalan Campaign – London Launch, 25 April

The UK campaign launch, hosted by Kate Osamor MP, will be held on Monday 25 April, 2016, 7-9pm in Committee Room 10, Houses of Commons. The event will be chaired by Sir Paul Kenny, former General Secretary of the GMB.

Freedom for Ocalan A5 Flyer

This new initiative has been set up by trade unions GMB and Unite and other trade union supporters to campaign for the release of Abdullah Ocalan, the chief spokesperson of the Kurdish Freedom Movement, the strategist and advocate of a democratic and peaceful solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey, from his imprisonment by the Turkish authorities.

Ocalan has been kept in solitary confinement by the Turkish authorities in the prison island of Imrali since 1999 and has been denied access to his lawyers since 2011. No-one, including his family, has been able to see him since April 2015 when a delegation from the Peace and Democracy Party (HDP) last visited him. He now leads a solitary life in total isolation.

It is well understood from international experience that in order to end conflict all parties to that conflict must be involved in seeking a solution.

Ocalan is key to a peaceful solution in Turkey. He has the support of the Kurdish people as is clearly demonstrated by the fact that over 10 million people signed a petition last year calling for his release. He has called repeatedly for a democratic resolution within Turkey to secure a peaceful and lasting solution. He has the respect and influence to unite the Kurdish people around these democratic demands for peace. No progress towards a solution can be achieved without Ocalan’s participation.

We invite you and your organisation to support our campaign and be represented at the launch.

Speakers include:

  • Tim Roache, General Secretary of the GMB
  • Steve Turner, Assistant General secretary of  Unite the Union
  • Bert Schouwenburg, International Officer GMB
  • Simon Dubbins, International Relations Unite the Union

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