JINHA

AMED–The co-chairs of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) saluted the march demanding freedom for Abdullah Öcalan. "This is the most important demand of the Kurdish people," said EmineAyna and KamuranYüksek of the Kurdish region-based party.

The co-chairs said in a statement that in order for negotiations to be carried on in equal conditions Mr. Öcalan needed to be free. In this regard, they said, the ongoing "freedom for Öcalan" march crossing Turkey from the town of Cizre to the city of Amed was a significant and valuable step.

The statement emphasized that the Kurdish people accepted Abdullah Öcalan as leader and that his role was undisputed. People have campaigned for Öcalan's release through marches like this and through a signature campaign that garnered 10 million signatures.

The statement stressed that the continuing incarceration of Mr Öcalan was unacceptable, adding that it was essential that he attain his freedom in order to conduct negotiations.

"In pursuit of this demand, around a thousand people, including deputies and mayors, are marching from Cizre to Diyarbakır,” the statement continued, saying the determined struggle of the Kurdish people would continue until their leader was freed. "The march will end in Diyarbakır—where the most important demand to be raised at the Newroz celebration will be freedom for Mr. Öcalan."

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