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 North Kurdistan has left 1000 days behind, attaining a remarkable place in the Kurdish struggle in Europe.

The Freedom Vigil is the longest permanent action held by the Kurdish people living in Europe. The vigil started on 25 June 2012 and continues 7 days of the week between 07:30 and 17:00. The vigil action, which has been participated by hundreds of Kurdish people so far, aims to raise awareness in the European community about the Kurdish problem and the need for the freedom of Öcalan. 400 thousand leaflets in English, German and French informing about the demands of the action, and 40 thousand copies of the Kurdish leader's biography have been distributed so far. Activists also held face to face talks with over 70 thousand people and collected over 21 thousand signatures for the Kurdish leader's freedom.

Vigil organising committee member Munzur Emekçi who has been joining the protest since the very beginning stressed that their action doesn't aim Öcalan's physical freedom alone, and called attention to the bond of the Kurdish leader's freedom with the future of the Middle East peoples.

“The purpose of the vigil is at the same time to ensure the freedom and together-living of peoples in Kurdistan, Turkey and the Middle East. Our leader has been making an effort for peace since 2013. This is not only a process of peace between Turkish and Kurdish peoples, it involves the entire Middle East territory. Our leader is a chance for everyone living in these lands; Arabs, Persians, Turks, Kurds, Armenians and all other faith groups.”

Emekçi pointed out that the vigil which will have left three years behind in the coming months continued with the excitement of the first day, adding that they will continue their action until Öcalan gains his freedom.

Kongra-Gel Co-President Remzi Kartal who spoke to ANF regarding the vigil emphasised that the freedom of the Kurdish leader needed to be brought to the world agenda more, and called attention to the importance of the vigil action in front of the European Council in this regard for being the voice of the Kurdistan people and their friends.

Saluting all those who have joined and supported the vigil for a thousand days now, Kartal said he believed the action would have an effective role in the process of Leader Apo's liberation, adding; "We welcomed this year's Newroz as the freedom Newroz of Leader Apo. We raised our voices in all areas and highlighted our demand for the freedom of our leader. We will continue giving this message in all our works during 2015."

Kongra-Gel Co-President remarked that the Kurdish people should provide further support to the vigil in Strasbourg and raise the demand for the Kurdish leader's freedom stronger in four parts of Kurdistan and all around the world.