Week after week, since 25 June 2012, activists have been protesting in front of the European institutions and the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) to demand an end to the total isolation in Imrali and freedom for Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan. This action is one of the longest ongoing protests.

Every seven days, other activists from all over Europe take over the vigil. This week, the 585th week of action, the vigil is being carried out by representatives of the young people movement. In the group are Baz Koçer, Ali Seven and Baxoz Hesekê.

Baz Koçer spoke on behalf of the group. He saluted Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan, underlining that he is held in total isolation on the Imrali island. The youth also saluted the guerrillas, the Kurdish people and all the oppressed people.

Koçer said: “We feel deep pain because of the heavy isolation imposed on Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] and appeal to the young people of Kurdistan and Europe to stand up and do whatever they can to ensure the freedom of Rêber Apo. Today is the day to rise up.”