In Medellín, Colombia, two separate panels titled “The Kurdish Question and Democratic Confederalism” were held on July 18–19, organized by the initiative “Freedom for Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.”
The first panel took place at the University of Antioquía, and the second at the headquarters of the Tobacco Workers’ Union (SINTRAINTABACO).
During the events, Leader Apo’s (Abdullah Öcalan’s) call for peace and democratic society and his paradigm of Democratic Confederalism were discussed. Participants emphasized that this system presents a viable democratic solution model not only for Kurdistan but for all peoples.
The panels also introduced Öcalan’s recent defense texts, titled “Sociology of Freedom,” which were recently published in Spanish in Colombia. Participants, including academics, human rights defenders, union representatives, and women’s movement activists, discussed both the content of the book and the similarities between the Kurdish issue and the conflict processes in Colombia.
At the end of the events, participants recorded a solidarity video to support the “We Want to Visit Öcalan” campaign. Key messages in the video said: “We want to visit Öcalan. From Colombia to Kurdistan, we demand Öcalan’s freedom. Today we are gathered here to better understand Democratic Confederalism and to get to know the Kurdish people and their Leader, Abdullah Öcalan, more closely.
We demand the immediate release of Abdullah Öcalan. We also want to visit him on Imralı Island. Long live the Kurdish people’s struggle. We demand freedom for those imprisoned for their fight for liberation.”
Participants highlighted the historical and contemporary similarities between the experiences in Colombia and Kurdistan, stressing the importance of mutual exchange and solidarity among peoples. The panel organizers noted that interest in Öcalan’s ideas is growing in Colombia and that networks of solidarity are expanding.
Source: ANF News
