Kartal: Our people will protest until they receive a response

The demonstration launched for Öcalan in Strasbourg has left 30 days behind. KONGRA-GEL Co-chair Remzi Kartal stated that the protests will continue until Öcalan is heard from.

The sit-in launched on October 23 with a press statement by 63 institutions in front of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) in Strasbourg for the Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s health and safety has reached its 30th day. Kurds continue with their demonstration despite winter conditions. Today, the protesters formed a human chain in front of the CPT, held a mass rally and repeated their demands.

Some 1000 people participated in the protest where activists carried Öcalan posters, chanted “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long Live Leader Öcalan) and called on European institutions to fulfill their responsibilities.

KONGRA-GEL Co-chair Remzi Kartal, Heci Ehmedî, HDK-E Co-spokesperson Demir Çelik, KCDK-E Co-chair Yüksel Koç, ESP Representative Ziya Ulusoy, former leader of Socialist Refoundation Party Tuncay Yılmaz, Revolutionary Party Europe Representative Faruk Aydın, MLKP, ATİK, Greens-Left Party Europe Representative Mehmet Cengiz, HDP Europe Representative Faik Yağızay, Cizre Co-mayor Leyla İmret, BES Secretary Meryem Çat, musician Ozan Emekçi, Êzidî institutions and CÎK representatives were present in the protest.

In speeches in the rally, participants stated that they will continue to protest until they hear from Öcalan.

“A COMMITTEE SHOULD VISIT IMRALI”

KONGRA-GEL Co-chair Remzi Kartal spoke first and stated that the Kurdish people’s call for the CPT officials still stands and added: “Our people continue to cry out in front of the CoE and the CPT despite the harsh conditions. People from all over Europe flock here. We want to know what conditions President Apo is under. The question whether Rêber Apo is actually alive or not still needs answering. Unfortunately, CPT officials and the CoE administration has failed to provide an answer for our people to date. Today our people are protesting with the same demand in many places throughout the world. What we want from the CPT is that they send an international committee to Imrali and see what the situation is.”

“ÖCALAN IS THE RED LINE FOR KURDS”

Kartal said the demonstration that started on October 23 will continue, and added: “Until we receive a response, until our people are convinced, this protest will continue. This is our democratic right and we are exercising this right. The authorities have a responsibility to respond to us. The life, health and freedom of President Apo is the red line for our people. Everybody should be well aware. Our people have proven this with the protests they have held throughout the years. And today, these protests continue under the lead of women and the youth. This protest we have launched with Kurds, peoples of Turkey and allies has completed 30 days. And it will continue. Because Abdullah Öcalan is the solution for the whole of the Middle East, not just for Kurds. European institutions should know this.”