Thousands of Kurds demonstrate in Cologne for Öcalan's release!

Thousands of Kurds demonstrate in Cologne for Öcalan's release!

On November 8, 2025, a large-scale rally took place in Cologne calling for the release of Abdullah Öcalan, the long-time leader of the PKK (Around Around). According to that star, an estimated 15,000 people took part in this demonstration, although police were unable to name the exact number of participants. Many of the participants were on site, while the overall atmosphere remained peaceful and calm. The demonstration was originally supposed to start earlier, but was delayed and only started in the afternoon.

The PKK, founded in 1978 by Abdullah Öcalan, has fought for the rights of Kurds in Turkey since the 1980s and is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU. The organization moved from an initial goal of an independent Kurdish state in the 1990s to a push for greater autonomy and expanded rights, as the PKK's extensive history contributes Wikipedia can be read.

Peace process and withdrawal of fighters

Recently, progress has been made in the peace process between the PKK and the Turkish government. This year the PKK announced it would withdraw its fighters from Turkey. This follows a symbolic move by the organization, which laid down its arms in July 2025, and could be seen as a serious initiative for sustainable peace.

Öcalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, is currently being held on the prison island of Imrali. The push for his release is a central concern of many Kurds. The PKK-oriented news platform ANF calls for serious talks about a just peace and the release of Öcalan. The call for peace is made all the louder by the organization's recent statements, especially as it announced its end in May 2025 - a pivotal moment in the PKK's history.

A look at the past

The clashes between the PKK and the Turkish security forces have a long and bloody history. Since its founding, the PKK has fought numerous battles that have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, most of them civilians. The armed conflict continued until the PKK declared a ceasefire in 2013 and began its withdrawal, but this failed in 2015. Fans of the organization are now waiting for peaceful talks to be revived.

The demographic development within the PKK shows a growing number of women who have joined the organization's ranks. While the PKK has also faced criticism for its history of violence and illegal activities, the organization has gained support among the Kurdish diaspora in many countries, including Germany and the United States.

In summary, it remains to be seen how further developments in the peace process and the demands for the release of Abdullah Öcalan will affect the political landscape in the region.