Kurds in Europe have been in a permanent vigil action in front of Council of Europe since 25 June 2012 to ask the European Council, European Parliament, European Union countries and western countries like the USA to "stop their political, military and economic support to Turkey, for the freedom of the Kurdish Leader Mr Abdullah Öcalan and for the recognition of the Kurdish peoples’ status in all parts of Kurdistan".

The vigil action, which came after the Geneva-Strasbourg Long March in the winter and the 52-day-long hunger strike in Strasbourg in March, continues in the 64th week with a group of eight people from the French city of Mulhouse having taken over the one-week alternate vigil from another group from Norway.

The vigil has so far been joined by hundreds of Kurdish civilians as well as a number of artists and representatives of Kurdish institutions in Europe and Kurdish parties including PJAK and PYD.

Thousands of leaflets have been distributed and signatures collected for the freedom of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Speaking to ANF about the protest, Hasan Yakışan, chairperson of the Kurdish Cultural Center of Mulhouse, said that the vigil action has enabled many people in Europe to learn about the Kurdish question and Kurdistan.

Another demonstrator Hanım Şal Ülüş who is taking part in this week's vigil with the group from France said the followings as to the reason why she is there;"I am joining this action as a Kurdish woman and mother. We will be continuing to give a struggle for the freedom of our leader and for the rights of the Kurdish people. All Kurdish and other women in the world should stand against injustices. It is a responsibility and duty for us, Kurdish women, in particular to struggle for our rights and freedom".