The Freedom for Öcalan vigil taking place in front of the Council of Europe is in its 79th week. A group of four people has come from Normandy to take over the vigil.

The Freedom Vigil for Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and freedom for political prisoners vigil taking place in front of the Council of Europe building in the city of Strasbourg in France has entered its 79th week. Each week a different group takes over at the vigil. Signatures for a petition calling for freedom for Mr Öcalan are collected at the vigil, at which information regarding his life and struggle are provided.

Güven Öztürk, a member of the Normandy People's Assembly and a spokesperson for the new group, said: “Since Sunday we have distributed dozens of leaflets and collected signatures for the petition. Since the Council of Europe (CE), European Parliament (EP) and Human Rights Court (ECtHR) are closed on account of the Christmas holiday, we have spoken mainly to tourists."

Öztürk recalled that the action has been continuing for 550 days, adding: "Local people have commented on how long we have been here, and those seeing us for the first time also respond positively.".

The group spokesman said that they had observed that the vigil had achieved an important place in public opinion.

Nurullah Kabak, who had travelled to take part in the vigil from the town of Val-de-Reuil, said: “I have been involved in this struggle for 25 years and participated in many activities. But in my opinion the Öcalan vigil is the most honourable and one of the actions of which I am most proud."

Orhanê Xinisê, another participant in the vigil, said: “I have been in Europe for 23 years. In 2012 I joined a march from Geneva to Strasbourg protesting at the isolation of Mr Öcalan. I hope to bring my family to this vigil next time.”

The vigil in the Robertsau district, where institutions such as the ECtHR, EP and Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) are situated, is organised by the Freedom for Öcalan Committee. It was launched on 25 June 2012, and is the longest action undertaken by diaspora Kurds.