The indefinite sit-in by Kurds from Germany, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland demands the Committee for the Prevention of Torture inspect the current situation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan in situ at soon as possible.

The sit-in was launched on October 23 by 63 institutions representing the peoples and faiths of Kurdistan, Turkey and the Middle East, and has received support from numerous European Parliament (EP) and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) member law makers to date. The demonstration demands urgent action regarding the growing concerns about Öcalan’s health and safety.

AFTER THE GENERAL ASSESSMENT: CONTINUE UNTIL RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED

The participants of the sit-in hold daily meetings on the tasks of the day and the state of the demonstration.

In the meeting this morning, activists pointed out that there is no information on the health of the Kurdish People’s Leader and that last contact had been in September 2016.

Activists underlined that the Kurdish people are concerned due to the speculations last month over Öcalan’s health, and that these concerns could only be addressed through a visit by the CPT.

In the assessment, activists stated that the only institution with authority to visit the Kurdish People’s Leader is the CPT, and that because of this the indefinite sit-in is quite important. The group stressed that the demonstration will continue until a definitive step by the CPT.

CHANTS CALLING THE CPT TO DUTY

Kurdistanis and allies regularly stood facing the CPT and CoE (Council of Europe) building and chanted, “CPT to Imrali”. Activists also chanted “Freedom for Öcalan, Peace for Kurdistan” and “Biji Serok Apo” and demanded urgent action by the CPT.

In the afternoon, the sit-in participants held a morale raising activity. In this activity theater artists acted out skits and the participants sang songs and anthems.