The march organized in Strasbourg to protest the 26th anniversary of the International Conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan and to demand his physical freedom was followed by a rally.

'We will continue to stand by your struggle'

Speaking at the rally, French Green Party MP Sandra Regol said: “I support the resistance, Öcalan must be free. We have always stood by your struggle and will continue to do so. If Öcalan is freed, the Kurdish question can be resolved. We have always been and will continue to be with your struggle. All peoples have the right to life, the right to self-determination. As ecologists, we stand by your struggle.”

'The Kurdish people are writing their own history'

Speaking after, KNK Co-Chair Zeyneb Murad said that the conspiracy will end and Leader Öcalan will be free this year. Remarking that the Kurds and their friends are resisting with great faith, Zeyneb Murad said: “Today the Kurdish people are writing their own history. The Kurdish people have been waging an uninterrupted struggle for freedom and democracy for 26 years. Today, we must raise our struggle even more. We are with Leader Öcalan, we are behind his messages. This struggle will succeed. Let us raise our struggle in all social and political areas and win our national rights. Let's abolish the İmralı system and isolation. Jin Jiyan Azadî. Long live the Imrali resistance!”

The participants of the Long March from 26 cities, who marched for 26 days demanding freedom for Öcalan, also addressed the crowd. The activists saluted the struggle for Öcalan’s freedom and called for uninterrupted action and struggle.

'The Kurds have fought for everyone and we owe them'

Emmanuel Fernandes from the French Unbowed Movement then took the floor and said, “I am honored to welcome you here.”

Greeting the masses coming from all over Europe, Fernandes continued: “The long march activists have been talking about isolation in every city they have marched through for 26 days. The Kurdish people’s long march for freedom continues with great resistance. The talks in İmralı prison are important but not enough. Steps must be taken. The isolation of Mr. Öcalan must be lifted. The Kurdish people must be free. The Turkish state is targeting civilians in Rojava and the attacks must stop. The new government in Syria must recognize the rights of the Kurds and prevent conflicts in the region. France and the entire Europe owe a debt to the Kurdish people. The Kurds have fought for everyone and we owe them. Today, the paradigm of Democratic Confederalism has come to life in Rojava and this system is a great hope for the peoples. On behalf of the Unbowed Movement, I express once again that we stand with the Kurdish people.”

'The national unity of the Kurds must finally be achieved'

The PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) European Representative Şêx Şemal said that Kurds are going through a historic period and the national unity of the Kurds must finally be achieved. Noting that Leader Öcalan must be freed in order for peace to be achieved, Şemal called for the struggle to be expanded.

'Öcalan has become the leader of all oppressed peoples'

After the songs by Cevat Marwanî, the rally continued with a message from Warisha Moradi, who is on death row in Iran. The message said: “I condemn the conspiracy against Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) who is being held in Imrali because he wants freedom for the peoples. He has become the leader of all oppressed peoples. Our leader has waged and continues to wage an uninterrupted struggle. As Zeynab Jalalian said, 'If we break the isolation of Leader Apo, all dungeons will be emptied. Leader Apo's freedom will symbolize a new life and freedom. We will continue our struggle to start a new process and bring freedom to the Middle East.”

'Öcalan is resisting for the sake of peoples’ struggle for a common life'

Speaking on behalf of the European Syriac Union, Shileymun Rhawi also condemned the conspiracy. Expressing messages of revolutionary solidarity and struggle, Rhawi said that Leader Öcalan is resisting in solitary confinement for the sake of peoples’ struggle for a common life.

According to Rhawi, isolation was imposed on Öcalan in order to weaken the strong bond between him and the peoples, but this effort was frustrated by resistance. The status quo, which increased its violence to break the resistance, was shattered, he said. Stating that Öcalan resisted on behalf of oppressed peoples, Rhawi announced their support for Öcalan’s peace efforts and saluted the global struggle for his freedom. Rhawi said that peace and solution cannot be achieved without the freedom of Öcalan and called on the entire Christian world to take action.

Speaking on behalf of the Communist Party of France, Yasmina Shabli called for the freedom of Öcalan and removal of the PKK from the list of terrorist organizations.

'A unique and free life is built in Rojava'

Saluting the “unique and free life” built in Rojava, Yasmina Shabli vowed resistance and struggle.

'For a real negotiation to take place, Abdullah Öcalan must be free'

Conveying messages of solidarity, Sinn Feinn MEP Paul Gavan said: “I would like to start by sending you greetings of solidarity from Ireland and in particular from Irish Republicans. During my visits to Strasbourg for the last 7 years to attend the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, I have seen the brave men and women who have been keeping constant vigil for Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the Kurdish freedom movement. Öcalan has been imprisoned on İmralı Island for 26 years. For most of that time, he has been denied family visits and even the right to meet with his lawyers. He is truly the Nelson Mandela of the Kurdish people. After years of broken promises and deception by the Turkish authorities, there is now a new ray of hope. It has become clear that the Turkish government has recently entered into a negotiation process. Dialogue is important, but for a real negotiation to take place, Abdullah Öcalan must be free. Only then can Öcalan participate in these negotiations in an honorable and fair way. I also call on the Turkish government to stop bombing and killing civilians in the autonomous regions in northern and eastern Syria. Western politicians completely ignore this issue. There is almost no coverage in the Western media. Turkish bombs are hitting civilians dancing at the Tishrin Dam. Last week, Turkish mercenary militias killed 18 agricultural workers in Manbij. We must say loud and clear that the Turkish government is guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Erdoğan must also stop dismissing democratically elected mayors, harassing Kurdish citizens and arresting journalists in Turkey. These actions are completely contrary to the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. 12 years ago, Öcalan said, 'We must silence the guns and let ideas and politics speak'. He also called on all oppressed peoples to form a new alliance and build democratic modernity. These words must now be answered. Öcalan presented a democratic challenge to all the peoples of the region. Let us answer this call today and build a new future for all. Friends, there is an opportunity for a brighter future in this region, but only with the inclusion of the Kurdish freedom movement. But the preconditions for progress are dialogue and inclusiveness. These principles should be the demand of all those who want to build a new future in the region. Freedom for Öcalan! Freedom for the Kurdish people!”

The rally continued with a speech by the Kurdish politician İdris Baluken.