A large and emotional memorial ceremony was held in Dortmund for Osman Kılıç (Gundî), an ANF Director who passed away on March 12 in Tiel, Netherlands. Numerous Kurds as well as international friends attended the gathering, expressing their grief and solidarity.
Prior to the event, the Kılıç family held an Islamic prayer ceremony. Afterwards, hundreds gathered at the Kurdistan Center in Dortmund, where the main memorial took place. The hall was decorated with images of Abdullah Öcalan and Osman Kılıç, as well as symbols of the Kurdish freedom movement. Chants of “Şehîd Namirin” (Martyrs are immortal) repeatedly echoed throughout the hall.
Remembrance and mourning
The event began with a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the Kurdish freedom movement. One of the most emotional moments came when Sebelan Kılıç read a personal letter to her brother, expressing their close bond and her sense of loss.
“A gap that is difficult to fill”
Speaking on behalf of the KOMAW Initiative, Cahide Goyî addressed the significance of Osman Kılıç for the movement. She emphasized that the Kurdish freedom struggle is also shaped by the sacrifices and dedication of those who have fallen: “The struggle of the Kurdish freedom movement is also the struggle of the martyrs. People like Gundî leave a great gap. Filling it is not easy.” She also noted that each martyr carries their own story of resistance.
Criticism of the treatment of an injured Peshmerga fighter
In her speech, Goyî also criticized reports regarding the treatment of a PDKI Peshmerga fighter who had been injured a few days earlier in an Iranian drone strike in South Kurdistan and was reportedly turned away by some hospitals. She described this as incompatible with Kurdish values, stating: “Such an attitude contradicts our social and national values and is unacceptable.” She also referred to similar experiences and called for a clear political stance against such practices.
Companions remember Gundî
Journalist Selahattin Soro spoke about the difficulty of saying farewell to a long-time companion. He recalled shared experiences and described Kılıç as a life-affirming and determined journalist who always carried out his work with conviction.
Aysel Avesta also paid tribute to the role of “Comrade Gundî” within the Kurdish press, noting that his stance and commitment would hold a lasting place in the history of free Kurdish journalism.
Legacy of a journalist
A video documentary about the life and work of Osman Kılıç was shown afterward. The event was repeatedly accompanied by chants commemorating the martyrs. After the official program, the Kılıç family received condolences. The memorial concluded with a communal meal.
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