As part of the Freedom for Öcalan Campaign, dozens of international figures have called on the Council of Europe (CoE) to secure Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s release, highlighting his key role in achieving peace and resolving the Kurdish issue. Meanwhile, Kurdish-led marches are underway across Europe, demanding Öcalan’s freedom. These demonstrations will culminate in a major rally on 15 February, marking the 26th anniversary of his arrest.
In an open letter addressed to Xavier Bettel, Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, dozens of prominent figures—including 69 Nobel laureates, 1,500 lawyers, and activists—have urged the CoE to take immediate and decisive action.
The letter emphasises Öcalan’s critical role in resolving Turkey’s decades-long Kurdish conflict, calling for his release, access to his lawyers and family, and recognition of his potential as a peace negotiator. Advocates argue that Öcalan’s freedom is essential not only for a just resolution to the Kurdish issue but also for fostering stability across the wider Middle East.
“Since his imprisonment on the Turkish island of Imrali, Öcalan has endured solitary confinement, with visits from his family and lawyers tightly controlled by the political whims of successive Turkish governments,” the letter states. In 2014, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Öcalan’s aggravated life sentence, which denies the possibility of parole, as a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR urged Turkey to amend its laws and recognise prisoners’ “Right to Hope”. Despite these rulings, progress toward compliance has been minimal. The letter concludes with a call to action for the CoE: “It is now up to the Committee of Ministers to take concrete legal, diplomatic, and political steps towards the release of Mr. Öcalan for a peaceful political solution to the Kurdish question.”
In a notable development, senators and members of the Basque and Catalan parliaments from the Candidatura d’Unitat Popular – Defensem la Terra group have written to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, urging immediate action for the release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. Their letter calls on the European Union to take concrete measures to ensure a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue, highlighting Öcalan’s crucial role in fostering peace and dialogue.
Meanwhile, Kurdish marches are gaining momentum across Europe ahead of the anniversary of Öcalan’s abduction. Under the banner of the Freedom for Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Issue campaign, the “Long March”, which began on 21 January, reached its fourth day with a significant gathering in Rennes, France. Activists continue to draw attention to Öcalan’s plight and the broader Kurdish struggle for justice and peace.
Across France, marches were held in 26 cities as part of the freedom campaign. Participants called for Öcalan’s release and reiterated the need for an equitable resolution to the Kurdish conflict. Organisers urged participation in the ongoing 26-day long march, culminating in a mass rally in Strasbourg on 15 February. The rally is expected to attract thousands of Kurds and their supporters from across Europe, further amplifying demands for Öcalan’s freedom and an end to his decades-long solitary confinement.
The “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan – Political Solution for the Kurdish Question” campaign is gaining significant traction across Europe, with events taking place in cities throughout Switzerland and Germany. Activists, supporters, and public figures are united in their call to end Öcalan’s isolation and emphasise his pivotal role in resolving the Kurdish issue and fostering peace in the Middle East.
