Kurdish Cultural and Artistic Movement TEV-CAND held a demonstration in front of the European Parliament in Brussels against the isolation.

Kurds and allies from Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium attended the demonstration led by TEV-CAND.

The demonstration started at 13:00 as participants carried photographs of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan and flags of TJKE, SKB and Heyva Sor. The demonstration was held in the park in Luxemburg square and protesters put up banners drawing attention to the hunger strikes and the isolation imposed upon Ocalan.

The banners included one that said the European Union and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture are accomplices in the isolation imposed upon Ocalan and other prisoners, and others urging international bodies to break their silence.

A banner with photographs of Ocalan, Hamili Yildirim, Omer Hayri Konar and Veysi Aktas, all imprisoned in Imrali, stood out in the facade overlooking the EP building. The banner said, “Isolation and torture are crimes against humanity. The Turkish state is the perpetrator and Europeans see this”.

Protesters frequently chanted “Murderer Erdogan”, “Terrorist Erdogan”, “Long live international solidarity”, “Your silence feeds the isolation”, “Biji Serok Apo”, “Biji Berxwedana Zindanan” and “Biji Berxwedana Dayikan”.

Several Kurdish artists also attended the demonstration, including Xelil Xemgin, Seyitxan, Deniz Deman, Diyar, Kawa, Cewad Merwanî, Shemdin, Maruf, Sipan Xelat and Amele.

The protesters called for freedom for Ocalan and a political solution in Kurdistan and artists gave a concert. The concert started with the anthem Herne Pes and artists sang several songs, taking turns.

Seyitxan issued a statement in the name of the protesters and saluted all participants. Seyitxan pointed to the hunger strikes and said the cause is sacred. Seyitxan added: “This resistance won’t end until the isolation is broken.” The protest concluded with slogans.