The denial of access to Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan since September 2016 and speculative reports on his health conditions spread by Turkish media outlets and social media in early October, continue causing more concerns for the Kurdish people.

As part of the demonstrations demanding immediate access to Öcalan, Kurds and their friends launched a sit-in in Strasbourg 34 days ago to urge the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) under the Council of Europe to pay a visit to the Kurdish leader in İmralı Island where he is held in aggravated isolation.

The demonstration continues with intense interest despite winter conditions, receiving solidarity visits by European politicians and representatives of political parties and organisations.

French director Luis Miranda also visited the demonstrators and voiced solidarity with their demand concerning the Kurdish leader. Stressing that the isolation on Öcalan is unacceptable, Miransa said he will always be standing with the Kurdish people.

Demonstrators stated that their action will continue until their demand is met, and called on the Kurds to join the action.