The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Vigil in front of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Strasbourg is the longest continuous protest action in the world. Week after week since 25 June 2012, new delegations of activists have taken over the protest. This week Hüseyin Genç, Nadile Çelik, Hediye Şemrağ and Müslüm Özkan came to Strasbourg from Heilbronn.

Protest against the Turkish use of poison gas

The protest is marked by the escalating use of chemical weapons by the Turkish state. On Tuesday, the central headquarters of the People's Defense Forces reported that 17 guerrillas had died as a result of chemical weapons operations. Footage of fighters dying from the effects of the poison gas has also been released.

The delegation condemns the silence of the EU and the Council of Europe on these massacres. Hüseyin Genç declares on behalf of the group: “We condemn the massacre of 17 guerrillas. We call on the international organizations to send a delegation and investigate.”