Lawyer Xanim Eyo came to Europe with a delegation from the autonomous region of North and East Syria to hand over two and a half million signatures collected to demand the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan to the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Eyo is a member of the Association of Lawyers in Northeast Syria and spokesperson for the Syrian Lawyers' Initiative for the Freedom of Öcalan. She said that the Rojava revolution is the practical implementation of the paradigm developed by the Kurdish people’s leader. She said: “What we have achieved to date is based on this paradigm. That is why we regard Abdullah Öcalan's freedom as our own freedom."

International legal standards should apply

The delegation from North and East came to Europe to talk to local organizations and institutions about the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan as well as Turkey's attacks on the autonomous region and human rights crimes in the Turkish occupation zones of Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. Xanim Eyo said: “We came to ask the institutions in Europe about Abdullah Öcalan. He is completely isolated and there has been no sign of life from him for almost two and a half years. His family and lawyers have no contact with him. That's why we started a signature campaign in Rojava. We first delivered the collected signatures and an information dossier to the CPT in Strasbourg and then to the OHCHR in Geneva. We have been well received in both institutions. Those responsible have promised to deal with this issue.”

Occupation attacks by the Turkish state

Another topic discussed at the meetings was the attacks by the Turkish state on Rojava, the lawyer said, adding: “The Turkish state attacks Rojava every day. These attacks kill many people, including civilians. We talked about that too. We were promised that our request would be forwarded to the responsible authorities.”

The attacks are aimed at Öcalan's thoughts

The isolation of Abdullah Öcalan as a representative of the Kurdish people is unique in the world, said Eyo, adding: "The Turkish state wants to create a distance between Rêber Öcalan and the people of the Middle East, especially the Kurdish people. Turkey wants to destroy the paradigm of a democratic nation that he has presented and prevent these ideas from reaching the people. The democratic nation model is a realistic solution. This is known all over the world. That's why the Turkish state is supported by other states. This fact is behind all attacks that take place.”

Lawyers' initiative continues to fight against isolation

As Xanim Eyo underlined, all groups from the population of North and East Syria took part in the campaign, and signatures were also collected in Aleppo, Damascus, Lebanon and southern Kurdistan. The lawyers' initiative wants to continue its fight against Öcalan's isolation. Eyo pointed out that a new era has begun in the Middle East thanks to the paradigm developed by Öcalan: “Eleven years have passed since the Rojava revolution. The paradigm of a democratic nation is being put into practice thanks to this revolution. It is of great importance to us. What we have achieved to date we owe to this paradigm. Therefore, we consider Rêber Öcalan's freedom as our own freedom.”

Human rights also apply to the Kurdish people

Referring to Europe's responsibility, Xanim Eyo said: “The Geneva Conventions are of great importance for human rights. Human rights have been spoken about since 1948 and violations of human rights and freedoms have been fought against. What is in this convention must be put into practice. That's why we came to Europe. The responsible institutions must fulfil their task. Human rights also apply to the Kurdish people.”

We want news from Öcalan

Eyo called on the international human rights institutions and said: "The isolation of Abdullah Öcalan must be lifted immediately. He must have contact with his relatives and his lawyers. We are very worried about his life. Everyone is worried. We want to have news from him. Furthermore, the attacks carried out by the Turkish state on Rojava continue. International human rights institutions should send a delegation to Rojava to investigate the attacks. The silence of the international community should end. We invite all human rights institutions to act.”