Following a call by the Congress of Democratic Societies of Kurdistan in Europe (KCDK-E) and the Kurdish Women's Movement in Europe (TJK-E), a demonstration was organized in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Kurds gathered in front of the Council of Europe and called on the European institutions to fulfill their duties, emphasizing that Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call offers a solution not only for Kurds but also for the Middle East and all peoples. “For peace with dignity, Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] must be freed” was the message given at the demonstration.

The demonstration started with a minute of silence in memory of the Kurdistan Freedom Martyrs, followed by speeches.

'Leader Öcalan is the will of more than 50 million people'

Sahin Polat, Co-Chair of the Democratic Kurdish Council of France (CDK-F), said: “The Kurdish people have the right to live in dignity. We call on the Council of Europe to respect the rights of all Kurdish prisoners, peoples and all those oppressed by an unjust war in the Middle East. Keeping Leader Apo in isolation for 26 years is inhumane. Leader Apo is the will of more than 50 million people. The young people in Turkey are facing an autocratic regime. Release Leader Apo.”

'Öcalan has presented a project for lasting peace'

Zübeyde Zümrüt, Co-Chair of KCDK-E, said: “Today we are in front of the Council of Europe to make our voices heard as mothers, parliamentarians and Kurdish people. For 26 years, Leader Apo has been kept under severe isolation in İmralı by the decision of these states. Still, he is struggling for freedom and peace. Leader Apo has presented a project for lasting peace and the right of peoples to live equally. On February 27, he announced his ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’. This was a historic call for us. Leader Apo is the architect of the democratic life project implemented in Rojava. This call is based on the coexistence of all peoples. The Turkish state has not taken any steps so far. European states and the Council must take practical action to resolve the Kurdish question and the problems of the Middle East. Leader Apo must be freed.”

‘We will do whatever it takes for Öcalan’s freedom’

Laura Castel, Co-Chairperson of the Unified European Left Group of the Council of Europe, said: “The Kurdish question and the issue of Mr. Öcalan is constantly on our agenda. We follow the issue with reports at ministerial level. A level playing field is necessary for real peace. Not when one side is out and Mr. Öcalan is in captivity. We will do whatever it takes for his freedom. The war must stop for the achievement of peace and democracy.”

‘They cannot silence us, they cannot weaken us’

TJK-E member Selma Sürer said, “We gather here every year and cry out. They cannot silence us, they cannot weaken us. Öcalan is the leader of leaders. Neither Kurds nor women are the same as before. Leader Apo has sent us a message. It is our promise as Kurdish women and the women's movement: We will be on the streets until Leader Apo is liberated.”

‘The institutions that remain silent are complicit’

Lastly, politician Hatip pointed out that Öcalan’s imprisonment in İmralı had entered its 27th year, saying: “He was delivered to Turkey on February 15, 1999 through an international conspiracy. For many years, he has been kept in isolation in an unprecedented way. We reject this unlawfulness. The European Court of Human Rights recognized the Right to Hope in 2014, but the Turkish state ignored this decision. The ECtHR turned a blind eye to this lawlessness. Torture is a crime against humanity and the institutions that remain silent are complicit. The CPT has turned into a torture monitoring organization. They are silent on the genocidal policies of the Turkish state. Isn't it a crime against humanity to torture Leader Apo, whom millions of people call 'our leader'? We address the Council of Europe: Listen to Leader Apo's Manifesto for Peace and Democratic Society, abolish the İmralı system. Create conditions for Leader Apo to live freely.”