The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), which was founded on April 4, the birthday of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, celebrates its 19th anniversary. PJAK Co-Chair Zîlan Vejin spoke to ANF about the Kurdish leader's birthday and the establishment of her party.

Vejîn said: “Our party came into existence due to a social need and political vacuum in Rojhilat (East Kurdistan) and Iran. The Kurdish society, and especially its youth, were in search of a new breakthrough”. Vejîn remarked that the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979 no longer met the people's demands for freedom and democracy. “The struggle against the state, which imposed sharia law on society, was not organized and a common struggle was essential.”

ROJHILAT WAS ENLIGHTENED BY ÖCALAN’S IDEAS

Vejîn stated that the birth of Öcalan was a great chance for the communities in Kurdistan. She continued: “The fact that our party PJAK was founded on April 4 makes our struggle even more meaningful. Before the establishment of the PJAK, Rojhilat was aware of Öcalan's ideas and philosophy. Rojhilat was enlightened by his ideas. The Rojhilat society, and especially its women, rallied around Öcalan's ideas in order to achieve democracy and freedom. Just as the birth of Öcalan is the birth of Kurdish society, the birth of the PJAK means the birth of Rojhilat.”

“When a party or organization engages in a struggle, it must first have a democratic mentality and system. The PJAK, which was established on April 4 in accordance with the ideas and philosophy of Öcalan, has now become a great hope in the struggle for democracy and freedom in Rojhilat and Iran.”

APRIL 4 RAISES HOPE FOR VICTORY

Vejîn emphasized that April 4 has a great meaning for the rebirth of the Kurdish people and humanity. She added: “April 4 raises hopes for victory. It signifies liberation from the capitalist system that enslaves all members of society, and an awakening day of all oppressed societies. The birth of Öcalan also signifies the birth of a new ideology, idea and philosophy for the Kurdish people. Öcalan's philosophy is based on the freedom of society, its moral values and its political and conscientious revolution.”

Vejîn stressed that significant changes took place within Kurdish society following the establishment of the PJAK. “Due to the lack of an alternative and a democratic mentality, the society has been subjected to social, cultural, spiritual and physical genocide for 44 years. Thanks to the struggle, there have been major social changes. The 'Jin, jiyan, azadi' (Woman, Life, Freedom) revolution represents this reality.”

WE BASE ON WOMEN'S FREEDOM

Drawing attention to the role played by women within the PJAK, Vejîn said: “The freedom of women, who are the pioneers of society, is essential for the PJAK, because women should be free first for the freedom of society. As Öcalan said, women's liberation comes before the liberation of the nation and country. This means that if women are servile, freedom and patriotism would have no meaning. Women's presence and leadership within the PJAK strengthen our revolutionary will and raise the level of consciousness and freedom.”

IF THE REGIME DOESN'T CHANGE, IRAN WILL RISK FALLING

The PJAK Co-Chair also addressed the recent developments in East Kurdistan and Iran, stating, “We consider the current period in Rojhilat and Iran as an interim period. Iran needs political, legal and administrative changes. If the regime does not change, Iran will risk falling, because the existing system can no longer survive. In the meantime, there are historic opportunities ahead of Iran.”

Vejîn pointed out that if Iran chooses democratic politics and renewal, it will play an important role in the Middle East. “However, if it does the opposite, it will collapse after a struggle carried out by the peoples, women and youth against torture, execution and massacres. Because no power can defy society’s demands.”

Vejîn emphasized that East Kurdistan is currently leading the struggle of the Iranian peoples for the establishment of a democratic and free life. She concluded: “This revolution has started under the leadership of Kurdish women. Therefore, the peoples of Iran and Rojhilat have a historic responsibility. The victory of the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadi' revolution depends on the struggle of the peoples.”