The streets of Strasbourg were filled with thousands of demonstrators calling for the release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan as they marked the 26th anniversary of his abduction. The demonstration, one of the largest in recent years, highlighted the growing hope within the Kurdish community that Öcalan’s long imprisonment may finally be coming to an end. Medya News correspondent Sarah Glynn was on the ground, speaking with key figures who addressed the crowd.
Emmanuel Fernandes, French MP from La France Insoumise, said,
“Öcalan is the key to a peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish question.” He underlined Öcalan’s vision of democracy, women’s rights and ecology, stating that these values align closely with his own political movement.
Paul Gavan, an Irish politician from Sinn Féin and a representative at the Council of Europe (CoE) for seven years, has consistently raised concerns over Öcalan’s conditions of detention and the necessity of renewed peace talks. Gavan noted that Sinn Féin has long been one of the closest European parties to the Kurdish struggle, supporting their demands for self-determination and justice. Drawing comparisons with Ireland’s own peace process, Gavan stressed that Öcalan must be a part of any real negotiations.
The pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party representative to European institutions Fayik Yağızay echoed these sentiments, stating: “For the first time in years, we see growing international momentum for Öcalan’s freedom. The Kurdish movement is more hopeful than ever.”
The demonstration was not only about Öcalan but also about the broader Kurdish struggle for political rights. France has historically had strong Kurdish communities active in protests across Paris, Marseille and Lyon. The assassinations of Kurdish activists in Paris in 2013 and again in 2022 fuelled strong international solidarity, particularly among leftist and human rights groups.
This year’s French media coverage of the demonstration was unprecedented. Leading French outlets including Le Monde, France 3, and L’Humanité reported extensively on the march, a notable departure from previous years, where Kurdish demonstrations struggled for visibility in the mainstream French media.
The Council of Europe was also a major focus of the event. Protesters demanded that European institutions take a stronger stance against Turkey’s violations of Öcalan’s human rights.
With European voices growing louder in their calls for Öcalan’s release, activists are pressing governments to take real diplomatic action. Kurdish political representatives argue that Öcalan’s role in a peace process cannot be ignored, especially as a number of visits have been allowed to İmralı Prison, signalling the first steps of a possible new political dialogue in Turkey.
Gavan again:
“The Kurdish issue is not just about Turkey – it is about human rights and justice. Sinn Féin has stood with the Kurds for years because we understand what it means to fight for self-determination. Peace must be negotiated, and Öcalan must be at the table.”
This year’s demonstration in Strasbourg was a turning point. As a number of Kurdish representatives noted, Öcalan’s name is being discussed in more European political circles than ever before.
📺 Watch Medya News’s full special report on the Strasbourg demonstration here:
