AMARA, NORTHERN KURDISTAN
The Peoples Leader Abdullah Öcalan, being held hostage in Imrali Type-F High Security Prison, is entering his 71st birthday this year under the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic that has affected the world.
Two days before the birthday of Peoples Leader Öcalan, the Amara District of Riha where he was born was blockaded by the police and soldiers.
Although no program has been announced for the birthday, which is celebrated massively despite pressures every year, all roads leading to Amara have been blocked with tanks and armored vehicles. It was noteworthy that the blockade in question began in the Gogan Quarter of Halfeti and extended to the front of the house where the Peoples Leader Öcalan was born.
On the other hand, Mehmet Öcalan and his son, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Riha Deputy Ömer Öcalan, were stopped by the invading soldiers and police while traveling to Amed hospital, being told to return to their homes. It was reported that the driver of Ömer Öcalan was not taken into the neighbourhood because he did not have a residence card based in the neighborhood.
Reacting to the blockade, Mehmet Öcalan pointed out that this situation was antidemocratic and that even the front of the house in which they lived was blockaded by their soldiers and police with their armored vehicles.
Öcalan, who stated that soldiers and police officers stopped them upon their return from Amed hospital, shared that even the front door of their home has been blockaded by police and soldiers. “This is not right,” he said.
About The Peoples’ Leader Öcalan’s birthday celebrations this year, he said: “Those who want to celebrate the Leader’s birthday can celebrate at home. Today, they blockaded the village. In this way, the problems are not solved. We have already said that everyone can celebrate their birthday at home because of this pandemic. There is a state of emergency in the village. This is an antidemocratic situation. No need for police, armored vehicles, or soldiers. They know it too. We wish there was a democratic situation, but it did not happen.”
Öcalan continued, “Let me say this; the people love the Leader. Even if you stack up the front door with guns, rifles, soldiers, and police, the Leader has entered the hearts of the people. Maybe you can create sets by force but this cannot be prevented. Again, we wish a happy birthday to the Leader and all the peoples of the Middle East.
Tens of buses, hundreds of soldiers, police and armored vehicles stopped us. They brought us a barrier. They are trying to show their power with this cruelty and insult. In this way, there is no growth. While the world is dealing with an outbreak of coronavirus, Turkey drops everything and says ‘how can I cut in front of the Kurdish people?’
We said that the April 4 celebrations will not take place here due to this disease. See, today, April 2, the road of the village was closed, barricades were established and the village was blockaded. Even those who live in the neighborhood can not go home. ”
The birthday of Peoples Leader Öcalan is celebrated annually, especially after 2004, in the Amara Neighborhood. Celebrations were banned in the neighborhood, which hosted various activities on April 3 and 4, after the period named the “solution process” was completed.
