The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Vigil, which was launched in Strasbourg, France, on June 25, 2012, to demand the physical freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and an end to his isolation, has entered its 573rd week.

In its new week, the KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Foreign Relations Commission in Europe took over the action carried out in weekly vigils by the Kurds and their friends in Europe at a location where European institutions are found.

The new group of activists includes Ahmet Yaman, Emre Kara and Niştiman Erdede.

A press statement was made with the participation of European Parliament Green Party MP (Corsica) François Alfonsi who had attended the Conference on Rights and Freedoms in Turkey held in the European Parliament on Tuesday, Left Party MP Chris MacManus (Ireland), Spanish academician Louis Lemkow and KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council Representative Zübeyir Aydar.

MacManus: Öcalan is the key to resolving the conflict

Sinn Fein representative Chris MacManus highlighted the importance of the long-standing vigil in bringing up the situation of Kurdish leader Öcalan. MacManus said that they understood the Kurdish people as leaders from the struggle in Northern Ireland were also imprisoned and played a major role.

MacManus pointed out that Öcalan was in a key position to resolve the conflict in the region, emphasizing that they were aware of the problems faced by the Kurdish people, and they would continue to support them.

Lemkov: PACE decisions do not lead to a change

Spanish academic Louis Lemkov expressed his support for the action in front of European institutions and conveyed his solidarity with Kurdish political prisoners. Lemkov noted that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) previously issued decisions concerning political prisoners in Turkey several times, which, however, failed to make any difference. Lemkov demanded the freedom of Öcalan.

Alfonsi: We expect a statement from Ankara

Green Party deputy (Corsica) François Alfonsi said that there were no human rights in Turkey and European institutions issued decisions in this regard many times. Alfonsi stated that his party expected a statement from Ankara on the situation in prisons in Turkey.

Aydar: A freedom campaign for Kurdistan and the Kurdish people

KCK Executive Council Member Zübeyir Aydar said that the campaign in Strasbourg, ongoing for 11 years, was not only long-term and comprehensive, but also sacred. He thanked all the activists who have carried out the vigil for years and their friends who have not left them alone.

Remarking that Öcalan has not been heard from for 27 months, Aydar called on the Kurdish people to expand the campaign, saying: “Öcalan is a value of the people. He is not only the leader of a party, a people, but also a leader of humanity. We must all embrace him and further expand the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan campaign. Our people and our country will not be liberated unless Öcalan is freed. The freedom for Öcalan campaign is also a freedom campaign for Kurdistan and the Kurdish people. Embracing the leader is a political, moral and humanitarian duty.”