The Co-Presidency of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council issued a written statement on the occasion of March 30 and 31, commemorating Qazi Muhammad and his comrades who were executed in Mahabad at Çarçira Square, Mahir Çayan and his comrades who were killed in Kızıldere, and the martyrs of revolution and democracy remembered in the last week of March.
In its statement, KCK said that these dates hold an important place for the Kurdish people and the revolutionary struggle. It expressed that, alongside Qazi Muhammad and his comrades and Mahir Çayan and his comrades, all martyrs are remembered with respect and gratitude—especially Mazlum Doğan and Agit (Mahsum Korkmaz), who are symbols of “Heroism Week.”
The KCK statement reads as follows:
“To our people and the public!
March 30 and 31 mark the anniversaries of both the execution of Qazi Muhammed and his comrades in Çarçira Square in Mahabad in 1947 and the murder of Mahir Çayan and his comrades in Kızıldere in 1972. The last week of March is also known as the ‘Week of Heroism.’ On this occasion, we honor with respect and gratitude Qazi Muhammed and his comrades, as well as Mahir Çayan and his comrades, and all the martyrs of the revolution and the struggle for democracy—symbolized by Mazlum Doğan and Mahsum Korkmaz—bowing respectfully before their cherished memories and reaffirming our commitment to realizing their goals.
The memory of Qazi Muhammed will never be forgotten by the Kurdish people; he will always be remembered with great respect, gratitude, and admiration. They fought without hesitation for the honor and freedom of the Kurdish people, whose existence was denied and who were subjected to genocide. They took significant steps toward the development of Kurdish national consciousness and unity. Although the republic they established was short-lived—due to the hegemonic powers of the era using them as bargaining chips and supporting the attacks of the genocidal Shah regime—they have secured a prominent place in the consciousness and emotions of the Kurdish people. They left behind a great legacy, and the freedom struggle that developed later and reached its current level has evolved upon the foundation they laid.
The struggle led by Mahir Çayan and the political line he represented played a significant role not only in the development of the Turkish socialist movement but also in the development of our movement. Rêber Apo [Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan] always emphasizes this fact, defining his own efforts as upholding the legacy of Mahir Çayan and those who succeeded him and struggling for the realization of their aspirations. The ‘Peace and Democratic Society Process’ developed by Rêber Apo also aims, at its core, to further develop and make permanent the struggle that began with Mahir Çayan and his comrades. Our movement has always strived to develop the united common struggle of the peoples along the path shown by Rêber Apo. Today, too, we continue this effort with the conviction that upholding Mahir Çayan and Kızıldere lies in this path.
During the last week of March, which we mark as ‘Week of Heroism,’ dozens of our valuable comrades fell as martyrs. The martyrs of this period—pioneered by comrades Mazlum Doğan and Mahsum Korkmaz—are commemorated every year by our movement and our people. Once again, we commemorate all our martyrs with great respect and bow before their memories. Our martyrs, who have always guided our struggle, will continue to do so in the future. It is for their guidance that the struggle for freedom will be successful.”
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