The vigil held in front of the European Council to demand freedom for the Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the political prisoners in Turkey continues in its 143rd week.

Kurdish citizens coming from Limburg region of Belgium have taken their turn on the Freedom for Öcalan vigil in front of the European Council building in the French city of Strasbourg. The vigil started on 25 June 2012 after the Geneva-Strasbourg Long March in the winter and the 52-day-long hunger strike in Strasbourg in March, and has been carried out by new groups every week. 

Helin Payiz, Binevş Güler, Nurê Mardin ve Mehmet Batmani are holding the vigil since Sunday, which is today in its 992nd day.

Mehmet Batmani said he has joined the vigil three times so far and continued his words by condemning the silence of the European community about the massacres that the Kurdish people are facing: “Peace and stability in the Middle East is possible through the perspective presented by Öcalan and can be achieved if he is free”. Batmani also called on Kurdish people to build their unity in four parts of Kurdistan, stressing that it is urgent to hold the national conference.

The women holding the vigil this week made a joint statement saying that the action demanding the freedom of Öcalan is also a means of saying “we exist, we are here” against the massacres, the system and the enemies of the Kurdish society.

Women saluted the Kobane resistance and the following move for the liberation of the entire territory,remarking that these struggles contributed to a change in the perception of the international community towards the Kurdish liberation struggle and put the perception of the movement as illegal under discussion. Women further stressed that it is utmost important that the women in Sinjar and Kobane establish their own defence forces and that victory in Kobane has been achieved by the dedication of women pursuing the spirit of Arin Mirkan.

Women also drew attention to the importance of the solidarity rising in Europe for the Kurdish Liberation Movement and reiterated their call for further contribution and support to the Freedom Vigil. Demonstrators also stressed that the Kurdish women are freeing themselves from the oppressions thanks to the efforts of the Kurdish Leader and that this is why women are determined to continue their actions until the Kurdish Leader is free.

The Limburg group lastly celebrated the Newroz of the Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the political prisoners in Turkey.

The Freedom Vigil is the longest permanent action held by the Kurdish people living in Europe. Hundreds of people coming from many places in Europe have taken part in the vigil so far. Hundreds of thousands of leaflets and brochures have been distributed so far to draw attention to the Kurdish question and the demands of the Kurdish people, primarily freedom for Öcalan.Activists also held face to face talks with over 40 thousand people.