The Freedom for Öcalan Vigil, which was launched in Strasbourg on June 25, 2012, with the aim of achieving the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and ending the İmralı torture system, continues with determination.

The action, which is carried out every week in front of the Council of Europe by groups of Kurds living in Europe and their friends, has entered its 676th week. A group of activists from Zurich took over the vigil on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Erhan Noyan noted that the action had been carried out with great morale and determination for 13 years, and made the following appeal to European institutions:

“Leader Abdullah Öcalan has initiated a process for peace and freedom. The Council of Europe, the CPT, and the ECtHR must no longer ignore a solution. Europe must contribute to this process, otherwise there may be negative consequences. Europe must take action immediately and put pressure on the Turkish state to ensure Leader Öcalan’s physical freedom."

Noyan emphasized that Öcalan’s freedom is not just an individual right, but also means freedom for the Kurdish people who have been oppressed for centuries. He continued:“The Kurdish people have been brutally oppressed in Turkey, but they still want peace. In light of this truth, Europe must urge Turkey to return their fundamental rights and provide support so that this process progresses healthily. For Leader Öcalan to fulfill his role, his physical freedom must be secured.”

Noyan recalled that the PKK’s decision to end the armed struggle was made at the call of Öcalan, and stated that the Kurdish leader’s freedom is critical to the success of this new process he has initiated.

Noyan concluded, “Our people must also ensure the success of this process by taking to the streets to secure Leader Öcalan’s freedom and the rights of the Kurdish people.”