The mass protest in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg to draw attention to the hunger strike resistance demanding the end of isolation Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan has reached day 3.

Various activities are organized throughout the day by Kurdish associations in Europe.

Some 150 activists gathered in front of the Council of Europe building to demand freedom for Öcalan.

A sit-in was held and activists explained the importance of the action. The resistance against the isolation of the Kurdish People's Leader was explained and activists said this resistance is growing every passing day.

Who joined the action

The action in front of the European Council sees the participation of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the Ciwaka Islamiya Kurdistan (CIK), the Democratic Alevi Federation (FEDA), the Revolutionary Forces Union, the Shengal Yazidi Assembly, Tevgera Civanên Şoreşger and the Democratic Kurdish Community Center in Germany (NAV-DEM). 

Alsatian Kurdish Friendship Association executives in Strasbourg also joined the action on Wednesday. 

March to the Council of Europe

On Wednesday activists marched to the entrance of the Council of Europe and urged on the European institutions to do what is in their hands to ensure the hunger strikers’ demand is met. 

Jonasson demanded freedom for Öcalan

Iceland former minister of Justice and Interior, Ögmundur Jonasson, said that he has been following the developments in the international arena closely for many years and that he is upset for the situation in Turkey. Jonasson said his vision changed after knowing the Kurds and stressed that he was upset by the silence surrounding the Kurds and kept by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Jonasson shared his belief that the Kurdish cause will one day win. 

Jonasson reiterated the promises he had made during his visit to HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Güven in Amed. Güven has been on hunger strike demanding the end of isolation of Öcalan, “Iceland is accepting the quest you are making and we thank you for giving us optimism.”