A vigil by the Democratic Kurdish Community in Switzerland has been taking place in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva since 25 January 2021. Every Wednesday, activists stage a protest in front of the United Nations building to demand the release of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan. The action is carried out as part of the 'Dem dema azadiye' [Time for Freedom] campaign and directed against the isolation of the Kurdish leader on the Turkish prison island of Imrali, the Turkish occupation attacks on Kurdistan, the massacres committed in Kurdish territories and the silence of the UN.

During today’s vigil, activists saluted World Kobanê Day on 1 November and the victory over ISIS. They observed a minute’s silence to pay tribute to YPG/YPJ (People’s/Women’s Defense Units) fighters who fell fighting for Kobanê and humanity, the Freedom Guerrillas and the heroes from Kurdistan and all around the world who joined the struggle in Kobanê.

Speaking here, co-chair of the Democratic Kurdish Council (CDK) in Geneva, Mehmet Latif Çelebi, spoke about the isolation regime imposed on Abdullah Öcalan and the attacks against Kurdistan.

“The lands of Kurdistan are bombed every day and Leader Öcalan is subjected to torture amidst the chaos in the Middle East and the so-called “new world order” seeking to leave the Kurdish people without an identity, land and leader. The strict isolation imposed on Leader Öcalan for three years is in fact a plan devised in this context. In response to this plan, we will be embracing the campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” launched by the friends of the Kurdish people. Through this campaign, we will frustrate the fascist and invading forces, break the isolation of Leader Öcalan and take our place in the new period with a free leader and free folk," Çelebi said.