Activists from Bonn take over Freedom for Öcalan Vigil on week 467

Since 25 June  2012, the Kurdish diaspora and internationalist activists from Europe have been protesting in front of the building of the Council of Europe and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) to demand that the European institutions take a firm stand against the illegal isolation of Abdullah Öcalan and the freedom of the Kurdish people’s leader. 

On week 467, Fadile Ehmed, Fatma Mallanasan, Necmettin Kaçar and Güler Kaçar from Bonn took over the Vigil.

“War and isolation are waged in parallel”

Fadile Ehmed said on behalf of the group: “With this action we are calling on the European institutions to stop supporting the war policy of the Turkish state, which is based on the isolation of Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], the disregard for the Kurdish people and genocide. The total isolation of our leader and the war against our people are waged in parallel. But the Kurdish question cannot be resolved through war. Therefore, Europe has the ‘historical task’ of putting pressure on Turkey in order to break Öcalan’s isolation.”

“Support the fight between Rêber Apo and guerrilla”

Ehmed added: “At this critical time, all Kurds must support the historical struggle of both Rêber Apo and the guerrillas. We have to become aware of our historical obligation and put pressure on all Kurdish parties in order to guarantee Kurdish unity against genocide and occupation.”

The vigil takes place seven days a week between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Since 12 May this year, the vigil has been accompanied by a sit-in as well. This action will last 4 weeks (this is the last week of action) with the slogan “No more isolation and massacre – Avashn, Zap and Metîna everywhere. Time for freedom.”