Kurds and their friends launched a vigil in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg on Monday, demanding the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and the implementation of the “Right to Hope” in his case.
The action was launched on 15 September, when the Committee of Ministers began a session to monitor the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee also discussed the proceedings for the introduction of the ‘Right to Hope’ in Turkey, and whether Turkey has fulfilled its obligations regarding the ‘Right to Hope’ for Abdullah Öcalan, Emin Gurban, Civan Boltan, and Hayati Kaytan.
The three-day sit-in protest organized by the Strasbourg Kurdish People’s Assembly Preparatory Committee in front of the Council of Europe came to an end on Wednesday, coinciding with the conclusion of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers sessions. While the Committee of Ministers’ decision is expected to be announced tomorrow, the organizing committee will make another statement depending on the outcome.
Zübeyir Aydar, member of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council, Engin Sever, co-chair of KCDK-E (Congress of Kurdish Communities in Europe), and numerous activists took part in today’s demonstration.
Speaking here, KCDK-E co-chair Engin Sever emphasized that the ‘Right to Hope’ is not only a legal issue, but also the guarantee of social peace and a democratic resolution.
Stating that the Council of Europe must stand behind its decisions, Sever said: “Leader Öcalan’s case was discussed today at the Committee of Ministers meeting. We, the Kurdish people, have been struggling in these areas for 27 years. Our call is for the Council of Europe to implement its decisions. The European Court of Human Rights rendered a judgement in 2014, but 11 years have passed, and the Turkish state has not implemented this decision. We in the KCDK-E appeal to the Turkish state and the Council of Europe: immediately fulfill the ‘Right to Hope’. Leader Öcalan has initiated a new process for a democratic society and peace. Without his freedom, this process cannot succeed. Leader Öcalan’s freedom is the freedom of the Kurdish people’s identity, culture, and language. We will remain in action on the streets until Leader Öcalan’s freedom is secured, and all our actions will continue on this basis.”
Following the statement, the crowd ended their three-day sit-in with chants of “Bijî Serok Apo” [Long Live Leader Öcalan].
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