Ehwen Çiyako, member of the party council of the PJAK (Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê / Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan), spoke about the rebellion of the people of Rojhilat and the anniversary of the international conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan 22 years ago.

Even before the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the people of East Kurdistan fought for self-determination, Çiyako pointed out adding: “The Kurdish people paid a heavy toll from 1979 until the 1990s. However, they lacked an executive. Unfortunately, due to the deficits of the political parties active at the time, the struggle yielded no results. This led, on the one hand, to the repression of the Iranian regime, and on the other to a kind of hopelessness among the population. At the same time, however, the youth and students looked for new fighting methods.

At that time, Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] was also keen to establish organized structures in Rojhilat. In the 1990s, the first seeds of the Apocu movement were sown in Rojhilat. The establishment of MED TV had a major impact on the population. As a result, the people in Rojhilat got to know the ideas of Rêber Apo, at the same time the Apocu movement learned something about the reality in East Kurdistan. The philosophy of Rêber Apo gave hope to the youth in Rojhilat and many young people joined the guerrillas."

Ehwen Çiyako continued: “On 15 February 1999, the population of Rojhilat stood up and protested against the international plot, showing the hope that was placed in Rêber Apo. They expressed anger at the powers involved in the plot and at the same time signalled to the Iranian state that it was still on its feet. In Rojhilat, the people showed their bond with Rêber Apo in a very special way.

The people took to the streets in every city and demonstrated a patriotic attitude. A revolutionary atmosphere arose. To quell the uprising, the Iranian regime launched one attack after another. Fifty people were killed in these attacks, most of them in Sine. However, the regime achieved the exact opposite with its counterinsurgency. The attacks created a basis for the Apocu movement in Rojhilat.

In 1999 the population stood behind Rêber Apo with a revolutionary spirit. The same spirit of resistance must be shown to the enemy today. It must be told openly 'We are one nation, we cry and laugh together. Our leaders stand for our values. With the occupation of our country, our revolutionary and national feelings cannot be crushed. ' The occupiers of Kurdistan must be held accountable. We have to fight with a national and revolutionary spirit for the freedom of Rêber Apo and Kurdistan."

The establishment of PJAK brought new hope

Çiyako recalled the regime's pressure on the population and how hopeless the people of Rojhilat were. “This pessimistic atmosphere changed with the establishment of the PJAK. The people are now fighting for their liberation and are also working for the other parts of Kurdistan.”

At the time, the Iranian state assumed that the claims of the Kurdish population had finally been stifled. “Today, however, it is more than confronted with the Kurdish people's strivings for freedom. “The people in Rojhilat and Iran need the solution model proposed by the democratic confederalism more than anyone else. This system is a solution for all oppressed peoples,” Çiyako said.

Öcalan is a leader for all peoples

Ehwen Çiyako continued: “On the 22nd anniversary of the international conspiracy, the people in Rojhilat will effectively support Rêber Apo and intensify their fight against executions and for democracy as part of the 'Time for Freedom' initiative.

A campaign for Rêber Apo's freedom is currently running. The people in Rojhilat and Iran are encouraged to actively participate in all actions and specific activities. Rêber Apo is not only a leader for the Kurdish people, but for all oppressed peoples. His struggle and his projects are aimed at the liberation of all oppressed and especially women. Therefore, his freedom also means the freedom of all oppressed people."