Newroz Declaration in Amed: Resistance and unity will bring freedom

The program for the 2022 Newroz, which will be celebrated under the motto “Dem dema serkeftinê” (Now is the time for success) in 72 different centres, was announced in a declaration in Amed (Diyarbakır) province on Thursday. The declaration, announced at an event held at a hotel in Sur, said that “The Kurdish people, who recreate themselves in Newroz, are closer than ever to achieving freedom.”

The co-chairs and leaders of the parties that belong to the Kurdistan Alliance Initiative made speeches during the event.

SANCAR: WE SHOULD INCREASE STRUGGLE

HDP Co-Chair Mithat Sancar: “We have been saying for months that 2022 will be the final year. The struggle for freedom, the pursuit of democracy against oppression and tyranny will be finalized this year. The current government has increased denial, destruction, oppression, exploitation. The policy of denial and destruction against the Kurdish people turns into a policy of exploitation, corruption and suppression against all workers and the poor. The year 2022 will be decisive in the struggle between these two lines. We are preparing to celebrate Newroz with this awareness.

The slogan of Newroz reflects our determination and faith. This year’s Newroz will be celebrated under the motto “Time to win”. Now is the time to win. But winning doesn’t come out of the blue. We need to raise the struggle. We need to strengthen the unity. Moreover, there is a need to further the unity of the Kurdish people, which has already been formed as part of the Kurdistan Alliance. We are aware that the strong will we will derive from this alliance will pave the way for freedom and democracy for the Kurdish people and the whole of Turkey.

It is the HDP’s main policy to give a common struggle within the broadest democracy alliance. This policy is the only way that promises freedom to the Kurds and democracy to the whole of Turkey. There is no other way to get rid of this crisis, oppression and denial. In the meantime, the most basic policy that keeps this government in power is the policy of war. There are practices based on security policies against Kurds inside. Also, the invasions in the region, the Middle East, Syria and elsewhere are the main pillars of this government to maintain itself. The most important goal should be to create a common attitude against war if we want to oppose this government. A broad anti-war coalition should be formed. Now, there is a risk that the war in Ukraine may spread. Peace has become a more urgent demand than ever before. Peace can only be established through a free and equal coexistence of peoples, respect for the free will of peoples, and an understanding that accepts peoples as equals.

We know that no country or region can enjoy peace without justice, equality and freedom. This alliance and its meeting with the democratic forces of Turkey will also pave the way for a greater peace coalition. This coalition will be established on justice, equality, freedom and democracy. The Newroz of 2022 will make it possible through Newroz fires and enthusiastic crowds in the events. The 2022 Newroz fire should be a strong one that will illuminate the way to peace, democracy, freedom. Let’s get ready to take to the streets and light the Newroz fire in the strongest possible way. This will offer a great opportunity for democracy in Turkey. Happy Newroz, Newroz be piroz!”

ÇİFTYÜREK: WE SHOULD DEFEND ÖCALAN’S FREEDOM

Kurdistan Communist Party (KKP) Chair Sinan Çiftyürek: “Happy Newroz 2022 to the peoples of the Middle East and to the Kurdish people. The demand to make Kurdish an official language and language of education should be raised in Newroz 2022. With this declaration, we have taken a new step. Öcalan’s freedom has so far been demanded by the DBP and the HDP. The Kurdistan Alliance also defends Öcalan’s freedom. Endorsing Öcalan’s freedom is a concern to all of us.”

AŞİTÎ: WE SHOULD RESIST TOGETHER

Azadi Party leader Ayetullah Aşiti: “Resistance is possible through a single line of resistance. Newroz is the symbol of freedom. Let’s go back to our own beliefs. Worship is not just about prayer and fasting. Religion also means resisting together against the hardships of people.”

TJA: UNITY OF WOMEN AND KURDISH PEOPLE WILL BRING FREEDOM

Emel Temel from the TJA: “Spring has started for the Kurdish women on March 8. Women resisted oppression on the streets. They voiced their demands for freedom and democracy. We are welcoming the Newroz of 2022 with this demand. Newroz is the unity of Kurds and women. Women should light the fire of Newroz with the spirit of unity. With the spirit of March 8, we will make this year’s Newroz a Newroz of freedom. The 21st century will be the century of women and the Kurds.”

The Revolutionary Democratic Kurdish Association (DDKD) Chair Mehmet Veysi Askar: “In historical days like these, our people and democratic mass organizations should raise their demands more loudly. Our demands are to make the Kurdish people’s mother tongue a language of education as stated in the declaration, and to include Kurdish as the second official language in the constitution. In order to do that, our people should attend the Newroz celebrations collectively.”

DBP: OUR PEOPLE HERALD THE COMING OF SPRING

DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır: “Our people brought spring against those who want to bring winter to our people. We are welcoming the Newroz celebrations in 2022 with this spirit. There are historical opportunities waiting for us. We will make Newroz 2022 the year of freedom for the Kurdish people. Therefore, it is time for the Kurds to be free and win.”