Vigil in Geneva: On 17 February we will say 'You cannot darken our sun'

Kurds holding a vigil in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva for three years will be attending the central rally to be held in Cologne on 17 February to mark the anniversary of the international conspiracy against Öcalan.

A vigil by the Democratic Kurdish Community in Switzerland has been taking place in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva since 25 January 2021. Every Wednesday, activists stage a protest in front of the United Nations building to demand the release of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan. The action is carried out as part of the 'Dem dema azadiye' [Time for Freedom] campaign and directed against the isolation of the Kurdish leader on the Turkish prison island of Imrali, the Turkish occupation attacks on Kurdistan, the massacres committed in Kurdish territories and the silence of the UN.

During the sit-in, which is taking place in front of a tent set up in the square, activists protested against the international conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan 25 years ago. They called for participation in the central march and rally to be held in Cologne, Germany on 17 February under the slogan "You cannot darken our sun".

Speaking at the demonstration, Rıza Çetinkaya stated that Abdullah Öcalan was subjected to isolation as a continuation of the international conspiracy and said, "The Kurdish people will once again destroy this torture system by claiming their will." Çetinkaya stated that they will lead the international campaign "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a democratic solution to the Kurdish question" to victory by revealing the unity of the Kurdish people.

"We will be the voice to the demand of millions by claiming our will in the Cologne demonstration on 17 February. In this sense, we call on all democratic circles, especially our patriotic people and friends, to join the Cologne action,” he concluded.