In the French city of Strasbourg, a large demonstration began on Saturday at noon to mark the 27th anniversary of the unlawful abduction of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in violation of international law. Under the slogan “Freedom for Öcalan – Status for Rojava,” numerous people from various European countries gathered for a protest march through the city center.
The march started at Boulevard de Lyon. Participants carried portraits of Öcalan as well as flags of the Kurdish defense units YPG and YPJ, chanting slogans as they proceeded toward Place de l’Étoile, where a final rally was held.
The demonstration was organized by the Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E) and the Congress of Democratic Societies of Kurdistan in Europe (KCDK-E). Various civil society organizations had also called for broad participation in the demo, announcing the protest as part of international actions marking the anniversary of Öcalan’s abduction from Kenya to Turkey on February 15, 1999.
In addition to Öcalan’s freedom, the initiators primarily demanded a political status for the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), as well as a political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey. According to the organizers, a lasting resolution of this issue would have far-reaching positive consequences — not only for the region itself, but for the Middle East and beyond. The Kurdish question is regarded not merely as a regional problem, but as one that concerns fundamental aspects of democracy, self-determination, and minority rights.
The rally after the protest march began with a minute of silence in memory of martyrs of the Kurdistan freedom struggle and the singing of the Kurdish anthem ‘Ey Raqîb’.
‘Kurdish people remain determined in their struggle until their leader is liberated’
The first speeches at the rally were delivered by Selma Sürer on behalf of the Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe, and Engin Sever, Co-Chair of KCDK-E. Selma Sürer noted that the Kurdish people have been struggling in Europe and across the four parts of Kurdistan for the physical freedom of Leader Öcalan for 27 years. “The Kurdish people have seen their freedom in the freedom of Leader Öcalan, and they remain determined in their struggle until their leader is liberated,” she said.
‘Öcalan’s freedom can no longer be delayed’
Engin Sever addressed the European Parliament, the EU, and the CPT, calling on them to uphold and implement their legal obligations. He emphasized that Öcalan’s freedom is a matter that can no longer be delayed.
‘Öcalan’s physical freedom is the freedom of the people’
Speaking after, DEM Party Urfa MP Ömer Öcalan stated that the mindset that usurped the rights of the Kurdish people 100 years ago is once again in operation today, seeking to eliminate the gains of the Kurdish people.
The DEM Party MP noted that the conspiracy implemented in Rojava had been foreseen by Öcalan, who had issued warnings in advance and intervened in many areas in order to thwart the plot. He stressed that the international conspiracy launched against Öcalan 27 years ago is being reactivated in Rojava today, and warned that the Kurdish people must never fall into complacency.
Stating that the Kurdish people are now demonstrating an even greater will to secure the physical freedom of their leader, Ömer Öcalan underlined that Öcalan’s physical freedom is the freedom of the people.
‘Öcalan’s paradigm offers an alternative system to the world’
Addressing the crowd, KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Co-Chair Ahmet Karamus stated the following: “Through the conspiracy against the Kurds in Rojava, an attempt was made to eliminate all the gains of the Kurdish people. However, the resistance demonstrated by the Kurdish people across the world has resonated strongly on a global level and thwarted this plot. I bring you greetings from Rojava, greetings from the fields of resistance.
For 27 years, a major conspiracy has been carried out against the Kurdish people through Leader Öcalan. This extensive plot targeting the Kurds in the person of the Kurdish people’s leader has continued for 27 years. By uniting around their leader, the Kurdish people have waged an uninterrupted struggle against this conspiracy for 27 years.
The paradigm put forward by Leader Öcalan offers an alternative system to the world. This conspiracy is also directed against that paradigm. Therefore, the entire Kurdish people must stand by Leader Öcalan and remain at his side until his physical freedom is secured.
The conspiracy that began with Leader Öcalan has today expanded to target all the achievements of the Kurdish people. The danger is not over, but continues in all its forms. Turkey, Syria, and Iran persist in their efforts to eliminate the gains of the Kurdish people. For this reason, the struggle must be intensified, the streets and public spaces must not be abandoned, and resistance must continue with determination until Rojava’s status is secured.
On this basis, unity must be achieved within Kurdish politics, political forces in all parts must develop a common stance, and the CPT, the European Parliament, and the EU must fulfill their responsibilities for Leader Öcalan’s physical freedom.”
‘Rojava’s status must be recognized and guaranteed at the international level’
French MP Emmanuel Fernandes stated: “Today we are here to voice a universal demand. We are here to call for justice, dignity, and democracy for the Kurdish people. At the same time, we demand the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned for 27 years.
The conditions under which Abdullah Öcalan is being held do not comply with the international conventions that Turkey has signed and is obliged to implement. This is not only a matter concerning the Kurdish people; it is a matter of universal law and international obligations.
The reason we are here today is that the Council of Europe is based in Strasbourg and is tasked with protecting human rights in its member states. We call on the Council of Europe to act consistently and courageously in line with its own principles.
At the same time, millions of Kurds in Rojava are building and defending a democratic project that is unique in the Middle East. Founded on the principles of intercommunal unity, gender equality, and pluralistic local democracy, this system continues to stand despite all challenges. Therefore, Rojava’s status must be recognized and guaranteed at the international level.
Kobanê has become a global symbol of resistance against ISIS barbarism. However, despite ceasefire agreements, attacks continue, and civilians and infrastructure are being targeted, which is unacceptable.
On this basis, we call on European institutions and the international community to fulfill their responsibilities, to take action for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, and to recognize the democratic status of Rojava.”
‘The unity of the Kurdish people is more important than ever’
Speaking on behalf of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Şêx Şemal stated that the imprisonment of Öcalan, ongoing for 27 years, is unacceptable. He said that Öcalan’s physical freedom is a fundamental necessity for the freedom of the Kurdish people and for the path toward a just peace in the region.
Calling on European institutions — particularly the Council of Europe — to fulfill their responsibilities and take action against this unlawfulness, Şemal said: “In the face of the attacks and conspiracies directed against Rojava, the unity of the Kurdish people is more important than ever. On this basis, we send our greetings to Leader Öcalan, emphasize that the Kurdish people must remain united around him, and salute the honorable resistance in Rojava.”
‘The Greens stand in solidarity with Kurds’
MP Sandra Regol (The Ecologists – Europe Ecology The Greens) stated that they stand in solidarity with the Kurdish people and demand the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. She emphasized that there is a major contradiction between France’s discourse on combating terrorism and its stance toward the Kurdish people, particularly noting that insufficient support has been given to the Kurdish struggle in Rojava.
Sandra Regol stressed that, as the Greens, they have been raising awareness for years about the oppression faced by the Kurdish people, that they stand in solidarity with Kurds in all regions where they live, and that they will continue their struggle against these injustices.
The MP further underlined that despite facing severe attacks and repression, the Kurdish people continue to resist each time and have not abandoned their struggle for freedom, reaffirming that they will continue to stand by the Kurdish people.
‘Öcalan’s imprisonment and isolation are part of a long-standing policy’
Strasbourg Deputy Mayor Hülya Turan stated that the imprisonment of Abdullah Öcalan, along with the conditions of torture and isolation, are part of a long-standing policy aimed at suppressing Kurdish identity, culture, and language.
Highlighting the importance of the Kurdish people’s struggle for identity and their demand for autonomy, Hülya Turan said that Rojava is not merely a region but also a symbol. She emphasized that the role of women in Rojava and the principle of gender equality hold a central place in Kurdish society, and noted that the struggle for the Kurdish people’s freedom and their right to self-determination continues.
‘A second conspiracy is aimed at the achievements in Rojava’
Speaking on behalf of the Gorran (Change) Movement, Miran Saleh condemned the international conspiracy and drew attention to the Kurdish people’s 27-year struggle in the streets for Öcalan’s freedom.
Miran Saleh stated that a second conspiracy targeting the Kurds is aimed at the achievements in Rojava, in response to which the Kurdish people are resisting in unity. He called on Kurdish political actors to conduct their politics in unity, taking into account the demands of the people for the physical freedom of Öcalan and the status of Rojava.
‘Kurdish people are thwarting the plans through their resistance and unity’
Speaking on behalf of the PYD, Mizgin Ehmed drew attention to the fact that the conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan, ongoing for 27 years, is today targeting the women-centered, egalitarian, and democratic paradigm he built in Rojava. “This is not a coincidence. The terrorist attacks in Rojava are being carried out with the consent and acquiescence of international powers. However, the Kurdish people are thwarting these plans through their resistance and unity. We will continue our struggle with determination for Leader Öcalan’s physical freedom and for the democratic status of Rojava. Freedom and the will of the people will prevail,” she said.
On behalf of PJAK, Zagros Enderyari delivered a speech.
The rally concluded with performances by the artists Nuarin and Comerd.
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