The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Vigil has been ongoing for 13 years in Strasbourg to demand the freedom of the Kurdish people’s leader and an end to his isolation.

This week the vigil was visited by several members of the European Parliament, including Pernando Barrena Arza, Sebastian Everding, and Leila Chaibi from the Left Group in the European Parliament, as well as Andreas Schieder from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.

Fayik Yağızay, the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM party)’s representative to the Council of Europe, and international political activist Sarah Glynn attended the visit.

Speakers emphasized that Leader Abdullah Öcalan is a symbol of peace and that his freedom is essential for the healthy progression of a new resolution process.

Sebastian Everding, a member of Germany’s Party for Human, Environmental, and Animal Welfare and the Left Group, addressed the structural discrimination faced by Kurds over the years. He stated: “For decades, Kurds have been deprived of their rights to speak their language and live their culture. Their freedom of expression has been restricted, and they have faced exile and arbitrary detentions.”

Everding emphasized the need to end these injustices, and said: "Allowing Abdullah Öcalan’s message of peace to reach the Turkish parliament would be a powerful signal. However, Turkey must also be ready to change its course. The protection of minority rights holds a significant place within the European Union. President Erdoğan must understand that without this protection for minorities, the door to the European Union will remain firmly closed."

Sarah Glynn, representing the international campaign "Freedom for Öcalan: A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question," highlighted the critical juncture Turkey is currently facing. Glynn said that Öcalan is ready for peace negotiations, and added that he “has made it clear, as he always has, that he is ready for peace negotiations. The response from Kurds everywhere once again demonstrates that he has the vital support needed to make this possible. He holds the key to unlocking a new future.”

Glynn pointed out that despite the government’s rhetoric of "brotherhood," it has not abandoned war. She added: “Mr. Öcalan remains effectively isolated. For a realistic peace process, he must be able to meet and communicate with all relevant parties.”

She also stressed the necessity of broad political participation in any peace process, underlining the critical importance of Öcalan’s message for achieving a resolution.

During the visits, it was reiterated that instead of perpetuating conflict, the Turkish government must work peacefully with the Kurdish people for the future of both Turkey and the region. A call was made for international support to secure Öcalan’s freedom and his involvement in the peace process.