Şiyar Şevger, a member of the command of the Eastern Kurdistan Defense Units (YRK), spoke to ANF regarding April 4, the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan, and the founding anniversary of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK).
Şevger noted that Abdullah Öcalan turned 77 on April 4 and said: “The emergence of Öcalan in the Middle East became a new source of hope for the entire world. For the Kurdish people and Kurdistan particularly, the birth of Öcalan meant rebirth, self-recognition, and rediscovering the land. The birth of Öcalan marked the beginning of a new era for the Kurdish people; we were reborn together with him.”
Şevger stated that before Öcalan, policies of occupation, genocide, and annihilation were intensively carried out against the people in Kurdistan, and said that with Öcalan, the Kurdish people reconnected with their history and reality. He added: “All the resistance and values demonstrated by the Kurdish people throughout history were reinterpreted by Öcalan and presented to the people through new methods based on social organization, self-confidence, and will. In this way, the existence of the Kurdish people and the possibility of a new path were revealed.”
Şevger also noted that today many peoples, nations, and organizations in the Middle East and around the world organize themselves based on Öcalan’s ideas and philosophy and said: “The birth of Öcalan is a rebirth for the Kurdish people. On this basis, we celebrate the birth of Öcalan, especially for the Kurdish people and all the peoples of the Middle East.”
PJAK’s 22nd anniversary
Şiyar Şevger recalled that the PJAK, founded on April 4, 2004 in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilatê Kurdistan), was organized inspired by the thought and paradigm of Abdullah Öcalan and that its establishment was declared on Öcalan’s birthday. He emphasized that for 22 years PJAK has been organizing in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran on the basis of Öcalan’s ideas.
Şevger said: “Even before PJAK, the Kurdish people in Eastern Kurdistan made great sacrifices and showed heroism. However, based on a new idea and strategy, PJAK is organizing in every field of Eastern Kurdistan to protect Kurdish society.”
Şevger also said: “During the 22-year struggle, many martyrs and sacrifices were made in Eastern Kurdistan. Zagros, Akif, Simko; four comrades executed in Evin Prison in Tehran; Bahoz executed in Sine (Sanandaj), Hêmin executed in Urmiye (Urmia), patriots executed in Xoy (Khoy), and dozens of other martyrs; as well as 12 comrades who reached martyrdom under the leadership of Comrade Birusk in Dalaho, I commemorate them all. These martyrdoms carried out a great struggle to spread a new reality of life in society in line with the meaning of Öcalan’s emergence.
The occupying Iranian regime could not force us to step back even when it took our comrades to the gallows. Even on the execution platform, our comrades said, ‘If there is to be death, let it be honorable; otherwise, we do not accept such a life.’ Comrade Shirin also expressed this by saying, ‘If there is to be life, it must be a free life; I do not accept any other kind of life.’
On this basis, the women’s freedom struggle in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran has begun and organized itself with the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ (Woman, life, freedom). Society draws inspiration from Öcalan’s ideas and therefore believes it will never step back and will follow its martyrs. On this basis, the truth and struggle of Öcalan will continue to develop.
Our people in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran must organize on the basis of building a new society and a new system on the occasion of Öcalan’s birthday and PJAK’s anniversary and must protect their future. This process of construction means embracing the martyrs. All the sacrifices and martyrdoms made since the founding of PJAK have always been a guiding force for us.”
Our people must strengthen themselves
Şiyar Şevger said: “On this basis, our people must see this reality: if there is hope today, it exists thanks to Abdullah Öcalan’s ideas and to the sacrifices made by our martyrs for the struggle.
Our people must strengthen themselves on this basis. From Ilam, Kirmashan (Kermanshah), and Lorestan to Kamyaran, Sine, Meriwan, Saqqez, Bokan, Urmiye, Serdesht, Piranshahr, and Shino (Oshnavieh), all the way to Maku, the century we are living in will certainly be a century of freedom for all our people. The year 2026 will also be a year of freedom for the Kurdish people. The most essential requirement for Kurdish freedom is unity and togetherness. All Kurdish organizations must come together to protect our people and build their unity on this basis. Our people must also organize themselves accordingly.
The year 2026 will be a year in which the Kurdish people determine their own destiny. On this basis, we continue our struggle in every field necessary for our people and society by organizing our ideas and plans in line with Abdullah Öcalan’s third line. Once again, on this basis, we celebrate the birthday of Öcalan for all humanity.”
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