The Vigil for the freedom of Öcalan began on 25 June 2012 and since then has been carried out in front of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the European Parliament.

The vigil in its 316th week has been taken over by members of the European Centre of Yazidi Associations NAV-YEK from Germany, consisting of Wezir Nemo, Hasan Aksu, Cafer Nas, Mehmet Özek and Adar Nas.

A statement on behalf of the group called on the Council of Europe and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture to fulfill their responsibilities for the Kurdish leader and his fundamental rights.

Stressing that Öcalan has proposed and accomplished the most democratic and pluralist system throughout the history of Kurds and Kurdistan, the statement said Kurds and other peoples from various belief and cultural groups can find a place in this system.

Remarking that a free future for the Kurdish people can only be achieved through Öcalan, the group called on the Kurds in and outside Kurdistan to focus on the freedom of Öcalan.

The group statement described the captivity of Öcalan ongoing for almost 20 years as unacceptable, saying; “The philosophy of Öcalan is not for the Kurdish people alone, it is also important for the peaceful co-existence of all peoples in the Middle East. A free and fraternal life for all peoples and beliefs can only be achieved through the system proposed by Leader Apo.”