The Kurdish youth organizations in Europe, Revolutionary Youth Movement (TCŞ) and the Movement of Combative Young Women (TekoJIN) staged a march in Zurich, Switzerland today to demand the physical freedom of Kurdish people’s leader, Abdullah Öcalan. The march was organised as part of the "Werin Cenga Azadiyê" (Join the Struggle) campaign.

Demonstrators gathered at Helvetiaplazt Square where Selma Sürer, co-chair of the Democratic Kurdish Council in Switzerland (CDK-S) addressed the crowd.

“As Kurdish youth and women, we are here today to demand the freedom of our leader, who has not been heard from for 25 months. Millions took to the streets on Newroz, March 21, and expressed their commitment to their leader, chanting “Free Leader, Free Kurdistan”. 2023 will be the year of our leader’s and Kurdistan’s freedom.”

TCŞ Europe Representative Yusuf Tayfur spoke on behalf of youth organisations and said: “Öcalan has been held in aggravated isolation in Imrali Prison for 24 years. We have heard nothing from him for two years now. The Council of Europe’s Committee Against Prevention of Torture (CPT) failure to provide information about its 2022 visit to Imrali has increased our concerns. Our movement has dedicated 2023 Newroz to leader Öcalan, proving the urgency of the achievement of his freedom, both in Kurdistan and Europe. At a time when the Kurdish people are closer to victory than ever, every honorable Kurdish youngster must be a successor of Kawa the Blacksmith. It is time brave and honorable Kurdish youth filled the squares in the spirit of mobilization. We will enhance our actions until the physical freedom of our leader is achieved.”

 In the wake of the speeches, the crowd started their march through the city center, chanting “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long Live Leader Öcalan).