For the last 5 years, Kurdish activists and friends of the Kurdish people from across Europe have maintained a Permanent Vigil in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, calling for the freedom of the Kurdish leader Abdullah OCALAN and other political prisoners in Turkey. The Kurds and their supporters are committed to continuing the Permanent Vigil until Mr Abdullah Ocalan is released from prison.

The Kurds and their friends have made numerous appeals to the European Council, the European Parliament, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, and primarily to the USA and the European Union and requested that they fulfil their responsibilities in supporting the Kurdish people to seek a resolution to the Kurdish question. Unfortunately, these efforts have not produced any definitive results; on the contrary, these countries and institutions have failed to undertake any serious work that demonstrates the determination necessary to solve the issue.

Campaigns for the Freedom of Abdullah Ocalan and Peace in Kurdistan

During these five years, we have carried out a series of mass demonstrations and obtained overwhelming petitions for Ocalan's release.

 The Second International Peace Delegation organized by the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) visited Turkey between the 13th and 19th of February 2017. The delegation comprised 10 members from Europe and North America, including Members of the European Parliament and of the Council of Europe, academics, and journalists. The Delegation took note of Turkey's non-compliance with the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture regarding the unlawful and inhumane treatment of Abdullah Öcalan.

 The last petition ended on the 13th February 2015 with 10 million 363 thousand signatures collected globally. The campaign was one of the biggest in the history of activism for the release of political prisoners. The ethnic and religious diversity of the signatories demonstrates that the freedom of Ocalan is a demand for all peoples who support fundamental rights and peace around the world.

 Mr. Abdullah Ocalan has initiated a number of attempts to negotiate a peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish Question, despite the obstructive politics being played by the AKP administration in Turkey. Thanks to Ocalan's efforts and dedication - hope for peace continues.

WE DEMAND

 To end the isolation of all political prisoners, especially that of Kurdish People's Leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
 Freedom for Ocalan and end to repression in prison.
 It is the CPTs responsibility to intervene and mediate and visit Ocalan
 The Council of Europe must, as a matter of urgency, ask Turkey to respond positively to the
Kurdish demands

We once again send a strong message to the EU institutions and Turkey to end the isolation in order to open the way for the release of Abdullah Ocalan and all other political prisoners in Turkey.