'Freedom for Öcalan' vigil ongoing
NEWS DESK (DİHA) - The Freedom Vigil action held in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg since 25 June 2012 demanding freedom for PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan as well as other political prisoners in Turkey continues in its 4th year. This week’s vigil has been taken over by members of European Êzîdî Federation, Sabri Atan, Şêx Şakir Karaca, Muhammed Boğa, Ayşe Karaca and Zera Reşo.
The vigil action in front of the Council of Europe is held by a different group every week, whose members conduct face to face talks with dozens of people and inform them about the demands of the action as well as the efforts of the Kurdish leader to build a lasting peace. Speaking to ANF on behalf of the group, the spokesperson of the Êzîdî Federation, Sabri Atan, said it was a necessity for Êzîdîs to participate in the action for the freedom of the Kurdish leader and political prisoners because the freedom of Öcalan was a crucial step to liberation of Êzîdîs in particular and the whole Middle East and Turkey peoples in general.
“This is neither the first nor the last action for us. We will never abandon our actions until the Leader and the Êzîdî people are free. We call on the Êzîdî people as their federation to reclaim the freedom of Öcalan and support the vigil held and the entire struggle given for it”, said Atan, adding that they didn't consider peace, freedom and fraternity on the outside of the Liberation Movement.
Atan stressed that the struggle of the Kurdish people would bring freedom to the peoples of the entire Middle East. He further criticised the policies of the Turkish state and the AKP government for dragging the country into a chaos for fear of the democratic nation project developed by the Kurdish leader.
Remarking that Turkey openly supported ISIS gangs, Atan said they expected Turkey to abandon its misdoings and accept the hand of peace bestowed to it owing to intense efforts of the Kurdish Leader. “To hold the bestowed hand of peace will bring the liberation of the peoples of Turkey and the Middle East”, added Atan.
'Mothers can stop the war'
The spokesperson of the European Êzîdî Federation further called out the mothers of police officers and soldiers in Turkey, saying; “Ask where and why your children are dying, question it and reclaim the lives of your children. Do not allow your children to die for the political interests of Erdoğan and his circle”. He added that the Turkish and Kurdish mothers could stand hand in hand against the regime and stop this dirty war.
'Time for unity for sacred Shengal'
Şêx Şakir Karaca, another member of Êzîdî Federation, said he joined the action for the second time and condemned the Council of Europe, European Parliament and CPT (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) for having yet to fulfill their responsibilities in this regard despite the action having entered its 4th year.
Karaca vowed to continue their actions until Öcalan is set free and the European Council beholds the demands of the vigil. Karaca further criticised Barzani for betraying the Kurdish and specifically Êzîdî people in the face of attacks by ISIS gangs, and praised the YBŞ (Shengal Defense Units), the self-defense forces of the Êzîdîs. Karaca also slammed some leading Êzîdî families not supporting the self-organisation of the Êzîdî people and called them to abandon this wrong policy.
Another member of the Federation, Muhammed Boğa, on the other hand called the old rooted communities of the Middle East, Assyrians and the Syriacs, to reclaim the action and take part in it: “We are hopeful about the liberation of Shengal just like what has been achieved in Rojava”. Boğa strongly called for unity of Kurds in four parts of Kurdistan and said the liberation of the Kurdish people would be accomplished only through unity.
'Kurdish woman sets an example to world women'
Êzîdî Women’s Assembly members Ayşe Karaca and Zera Reşo, who also take part in the vigil action this week, drew attention to the status gained by women in the Kurdish community through their struggle and the life philosophy of the Kurdish leader and. Karaca and Reşo pointed out that the Kurdish women set an example to the world women through their struggle today. The members of the Women’s Assembly stressed that the liberation of the Kurdish women at the same time meant the freedom of the Kurdish Leader, and vowed to continue the struggle until the freedom is attained.
Further criticising the Turkish state for massacring civilians, bombarding Medya Defence Zones and openly supporting the ISIS gangs, the women offered condolences for all the martyrs fallen in this dirty war of Erdoğan and his men, and called on all the people not to take part in this dirty war.
Background
The 'Freedom for Öcalan Vigil', or shortly known as 'Freedom Vigil', started on 25 June 2012 in protest of the intensive isolation faced by Abdullah Öcalan since his imprisonment in 1999. The 'Freedom Vigil', which takes place between 07:30 and 17:00 for 7 days a week, is the longest permanent action held by Kurdish people living in Europe. The vigil, participated by thousands of Kurdish people so far, aims to raise awareness within the European community about the Kurdish question and the need for Öcalan's freedom.
400 thousand leaflets in English, German and French informing about the demands of the action, and 40 thousand copies of the Kurdish leader's biography have been distributed as part of the vigil action so far. Activists also held face to face talks with over 70 thousand people and collected over 21 thousand signatures for the Kurdish leader's freedom.
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