Young activists take over the vigil for Öcalan’s freedom in Strasbourg

The Freedom for Öcalan Vigil, which was launched on June 25, 2012 in Strasbourg, France, to promote the physical freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and to demand an end to the aggravated isolation on him, marks its 468th week.

This week, a group of young Kurdish activists from Switzerland took over the vigil. Uğur Orak, Berxwedan Peker, Teslim Ekmen and Mehmet Goyi are in the group that has taken over the action which is held between 07:30 and 16:30 in the common area where European institutions are located.

‘WE MUST GET RID OF INVADERS!’

Ekmen read out a statement on behalf of the new group. He saluted the hunger strike carried out by political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons for an end to the isolation on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the guerrilla forces who have mounted heroic resistance against the invasion attacks of the Turkish state. Ekmen underlined that the Kurdish people should come together and drive the invaders out of Kurdistan. He added that the struggle of the Kurdish Freedom Movement developed under the leadership of the youth under the motto “We started young, we will finish young”. The activist stressed that the Kurdish youth will fulfil their mission at a time when the invasion and genocide attacks have increased.

REACTION TO BETRAYERS

Ekmen pointed out that the occupation in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) is being carried out in partnership with the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party). He stated that treason and collaboration will definitely be condemned by the Kurdish people, and urged the KDP not to be a partner in the genocide against the Kurdish people.

“The drone attack on Makhmur is a revenge for ISIS. Makhmur is a camp under UN supervision. We condemn the silence of European countries towards the isolation on our leader, the war against the Kurdish people and the attack on the refugee camp,” the activist added.