The Newroz celebration has a special significance for Kurdish people. In this ocassion, on which the biggest minority in the world celebrates the arrival of spring, the fire, symbol of freedom for Kurds, has a special role.

In the last decades, the Turkish state has used intense repression on this celebration.

However, this new Newroz is marked by a new-born but promising process of change. Today the opportunity to find a democratic solution to a hard and bloody conflict is a reality.

The statement issued on the occasion of Newroz shows it clearly. We must, likewise, highlight the role played by Abdullah Öcalan and BDP in the materialization of this new opportunity to achieve the just and lasting peace that Kurdistan yearns for.

The historic Kurdish leader was arrested in 1999. Ten years later, in 2009, representatives of the PKK (Workers' Party of Kurdistan) and the Turkish state undertook a dialogue process in Oslo.

That dialogue has not been without difficulties. Faced with Turkey's decision to close these contacts, the Kurdish national liberation movement was able to take steps to open the door to a resolution process.

In these moments of hope, SORTU wants to highlight the courage of Kurdish people and the audacity of their national liberation movement.

On the same way, our movement expresses its best wishes so that from this starting negotiation a process of credible and substantial dialogue is set up.

For the chance of peace to settle we believe that Abdullah Öcalan , detainded in the one-man prison of Imrali, and all the Kurdish political prisoners must be released.

Finally, and in line with the message transferred in situ to different authorities and Kurds by SORTU's representative, Gorka Elejabarrieta, present in the celebrations in Amed/Diyarbakir, our movement wishes to express that the Kurdish people has our full support in their way to freedom.