On April 4, 2025, Abdullah Öcalan's influential text titled "Roadmap for Negotiations" will be released as a free audiobook narrated by the campaign "Women Defend Rojava." This initiative aims to inform and engage listeners interested in conflict resolution and societal alternatives in the Middle East. The audiobook is based on Öcalan's prison writings from 2009 and will be available for free on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.
Öcalan has been imprisoned since 1999 on the Turkish island of Imrali and published the "Roadmap" at a time when initial reluctant attempts at a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kurdish issue in Turkey were emerging. The text outlines both conditions for a ceasefire and concrete steps for a democratic solution through dialogue with the Turkish state. Öcalan emphasizes that "Not every peace is guided by a democratic solution, but every democratic solution guarantees what we call a ‘peace with dignity.’” This thought forms a consistent thread throughout his political philosophy, which over the last decades has increasingly focused on grassroots, ecological, and feminist societal models, particularly evident in the autonomous region of Rojava in northeastern Syria.
The audiobook will be voiced by members of the campaign Women Defend Rojava, who advocate globally for the perspectives of the women's revolution in Kurdistan. In a time where political discourse is growing increasingly polarized, the project aims to promote education and critical listening. The release date is particularly significant as it falls on Öcalan's birthday, a symbolic date for many of his supporters. As the world grapples with divided narratives about the Kurdish question, this historical document takes on heightened relevance.
Additionally, Abdullah Öcalan’s birthday on April 4 will host various tree-planting activities across numerous regions of Kurdistan, symbolizing new life and hope. This tradition aligns with the broader celebrations of his contributions to Kurdish identity and aspirations.
In a related event, the youth council of the DEM Party will conduct a multi-day demonstration starting on April 1, 2025. This march will proceed from Amed (Diyarbakır) to Amara, the birthplace of Abdullah Öcalan, with the aim of supporting Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society. The four-day demonstration emphasizes the empowerment of the youth as the leading and fighting force within the society.
During a press conference held at DEM Party headquarters in Amed, DEM representatives Ceylan Akça and Beritan Güneş announced this initiative. It aims to break through the 43 months-long oppressive isolation regime placed upon Öcalan. The council's statement highlighted that, “Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society has offered hope to the people of Kurdistan, Turkey, and all other oppressed communities, initiating a new phase of resistance.”
This call reflects Öcalan's earlier plea to the PKK in February to lay down arms and move towards a peaceful solution while equally advocating for Turkey's democratization. The march to Amara will culminate on April 4, coinciding with Öcalan's 76th birthday. Traditionally, this date sees collective tree-planting activities in many regions of Kurdistan, including Amara, as a gesture of community solidarity and appreciation for Öcalan's role within the Kurdish movement.
As tensions persist and dialogues falter in the region, these simultaneous events illustrate a concerted effort by Kurdish activists to reignite discussions about peace, democracy, and the vital contributions of Öcalan’s vision towards achieving a dignified existence in society.
