Ehwen Çiyako, a member of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), who also attended the press conference where political parties in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) announced their unity and the establishment of the Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, spoke to ANF about the declaration of the alliance.
Çiyako stated that the alliance is a response to the demands of the peoples of Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) and the Kurdish people, and the result of nearly eight months of talks among parties and political forces in Kurdistan.
Çiyako said: “Since the day it was founded, the PJAK has made efforts to build unity among parties and political forces in Eastern Kurdistan. For this reason, it played an effective role in creating a ground for dialogue and negotiations.”
Çiyako also noted that the alliance was announced on the 27th anniversary of the international conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan, describing this as a clear expression of support for Öcalan.
He emphasized: “This alliance is a clear sign of the Kurdish people’s support for the martyrs who were killed by the Iranian regime in 1999. The meaning of this alliance for Eastern Kurdistan is deep and rooted.”
Ehwen Çiyako also called on the Kurdish people and all segments of society, especially young people and women, to work for unity and to strengthen the struggle in this field.
I congratulate the Kurdish people’s day of unity
Ehwen Çiyako highlighted the significance of 22 February for the Kurdish people and celebrated the Kurdish people’s day of unity and said: “On 22 February, a meeting was held with the high-level participation of five political parties active in Eastern Kurdistan, and because of this meeting an alliance was announced. Undoubtedly, this was a very important meeting. The date on which it was held, 22 February, is the day when the people of Eastern Kurdistan rose up against the conspiracy carried out against the Kurdish people’s leader, Abdullah Öcalan, and when the Islamic Republic of Iran began a genocide against the people of Eastern Kurdistan. We gave dozens of martyrs; this was felt with particular intensity in the city of Sanandaj (Sine).
Twenty-seven years later, on the same day, the Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan was declared in Eastern Kurdistan. This matter carries a profound meaning and represents keeping the spirit of the martyrs alive. I congratulate this alliance in the name of the families of the martyrs of 22 February and those who were detained and tortured on that day. I congratulate all Kurdish people and the peoples of Eastern Kurdistan.”
We can respond to difficult times only through unity
Ehwen Çiyako continued: “The meeting held on 22 February was the result of more than eight months of discussions aimed at creating a platform for the alliance. All sides believe that the difficulties faced by the people of Eastern Kurdistan can only be answered through unity. All five parties participated in the meeting at a high level. I can say that there was a strong spirit of unity during the meeting and that it was welcomed with satisfaction afterward.
For a long time, the Kurdish people across the four parts of Kurdistan, especially in Eastern Kurdistan, have been calling on the forces there to unite and establish an alliance. There were also strong reactions across Iran, and many parties described this as an example. Other parts of Iran should also take the Kurds as an example and unite their forces despite all differences in belief and political views.”
PJAK played a major role in these dialogues
Ehwen Çiyako pointed to the role played by the PJAK in the alliance process and said: “It is widely known that since the day PJAK was founded, it has made efforts to build unity among the forces in Eastern Kurdistan. The unity of political parties alone is not enough; unity is also necessary at the national level. During the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) revolution in 2022, PJAK deepened its practice and determination. Various conferences were organized bringing together many parties from Iran and Eastern Kurdistan, and PJAK took the lead in these efforts. Together with the efforts of the other sides, PJAK played a major role in ensuring that these dialogues reached a conclusion. The alliance is building its work and program within the framework of national unity in Eastern Kurdistan.”
A national united force for Eastern Kurdistan
Ehwen Çiyako also pointed to the three decisions taken by the alliance, stressing that these decisions are very important for preserving Kurdish unity and that certain centers and organizations must be established to implement them. He also said: “One of these decisions is that the alliance should have its own center and administration. This administration should consist of all members of the alliance. Next, a diplomacy committee should be established that can express the situation of the Kurdish people in Eastern Kurdistan. Another important point, at the Iranian, international and regional levels, is the establishment of a high-level military committee composed of peshmerga and guerrilla forces. Undoubtedly, these steps could become a starting point for the formation of a national united force in Eastern Kurdistan in the future.”
No one can deny the Kurdish reality
Ehwen Çiyako underlined that the unity of the Kurdish people has played a key role in the Kurds being recognized by the world today. He said: “The situation of the Kurdish people in Eastern Kurdistan is not very different from that of the people in the other parts. No one can deny the reality of the Kurds. The Kurds have significant weight in the Middle East and they possess national unity. During this recent period, we saw all Kurds come together for Rojava and eliminate the threats. This national power is undoubtedly a major support for Eastern Kurdistan as well. This alliance has ensured that the other parts provide strong support for Eastern Kurdistan. The Kurdish question in the Middle East and its international dimension, at a time when Iran is facing major transformations, has created a significant opportunity for Eastern Kurdistan.”
Everyone must support this alliance and unity
Ehwen Çiyako urged all parties in Eastern Kurdistan to take part in the alliance and also called on young people to fulfill their national responsibilities. He said: “What we ask from the parties that have joined the alliance is that they strengthen it and move it forward. From those who are not part of the alliance, our expectation is that they join and play an effective role in strengthening it. What we ask from our people is that they support this alliance and this unity.
We especially call on the youth in Eastern Kurdistan to put forward the national spirit and support our revolution. Young people have been able to create major changes across the world. The youth of Eastern Kurdistan have great potential. The state has always sought to destroy this potential. As the PJAK, we want our youth to become more familiar with PJAK and the guerrilla to strengthen the Kurdish Defense Forces in Eastern Kurdistan.”
We must strengthen our unity
Ehwen Çiyako urged everyone to organize more and dedicate their energy to the service of the revolution.
Çiyako also said: “Freedom is near. Developments show us that Eastern Kurdistan stands on the threshold of freedom. We must all remain vigilant, strengthen our unity, organize our strength more effectively, and devote all our energy to the service of the revolution. The Kurdish people possess great potential. We will strive to transform this potential and energy into a force for victory.”
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