The Freedom for Öcalan Vigil, which was launched in Strasbourg on June 25, 2012, with the aim of achieving the physical freedom of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and ending the İmralı torture system, continues with determination.
The vigil is held in Strasbourg, where institutions like the Council of Europe, the CPT (Committee for the Prevention of Torture), and the European Court of Human Rights and the European Parliament are located.
The vigil also aims to promote Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas, raise awareness of the Kurdish people’s struggle, and build public pressure on international institutions to take responsibility.
The action, which is carried out every week in front of the Council of Europe by groups of Kurds living in Europe and their friends, entered its 689th week.
In its new week, the Freedom Vigil was taken over by Xezna Xalid, Zübeyde Xebat, Wekahat Bakurî, and Bedia Emin, members of the umbrella organization of Yazidi Women’s Councils in Germany (SMJÊ).
Speaking on behalf of the group, Xezna Xalid stated that August, when the 74th genocide against Yazidis took place 11 years ago, was a painful month for the Yazidi people. She commemorated Mam Zeki, who pioneered the Yazidi people and was killed by the occupying Turkish state, Mam Beşir, Mam Seyid Hesen, and those killed in the 74th genocide, as well as all the martyrs of Kurdistan.
Xezna Xalid also expressed her respect for commanders and leaders such as Nûreddîn Sofî and Ali Haydar Kaytan, whose martyrdom was recently announced, as well as every fighter who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Kurdistan.
Xezna Xalid stated that the Yazidi people have faced genocides throughout history: “However, Leader Öcalan has given our people hope. We are very hopeful and trust him greatly. His ideas and philosophy educated the Kurdish people. Through this education, we achieved our own freedom and breathed freely. His ideas have eliminated hostility between peoples. He has enabled us to love our land, our culture, and our art, and to return to our roots.”
“The return of the Yazidis to their homeland was not easy; it was achieved with the blood of martyrs and the ideas of the leader,” she said, continuing: “Even under severe isolation for 26 years, Leader Öcalan has always enlightened us and shown us the path to freedom. He has sacrificed himself for his people and oppressed peoples. Based on his ideas, we have built our existence from nothing. The Yazidi community, which has suffered massacres, harassment, and rape, has taken up arms and is defending itself today thanks to Leader Öcalan’s ideas and philosophy. As mothers, it is difficult for us to leave our homes and children behind and come to another country, but securing Leader Öcalan’s freedom is our duty. We are determined, and we will achieve our goal. We cannot be free until our leader is free. The Yazidi community in particular must not forget this. They must stand up for themselves and not fall into anyone’s trap. Our freedom is possible only together; our freedom is possible only with the freedom of Leader Öcalan.”
Source: ANF News
