The Kurdistan Democratic Societies Congress in Europe (KCDK-E) has successfully concluded its interim congress with the participation of 180 delegates from all over Europe. It was held under the motto: "We will build the system of the Democratic Nation in the spirit of the Zap resistance and expel the colonialists from Kurdistan". The delegates were from all sectors of Kurdish self-organisation in the diaspora: representatives of the women's movement, the youth movement, the grassroots councils, the community centres and the different faith communities. For four days, the activists discussed the current developments of the attacks on Kurdistan and the isolation of the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and took decisions that set the direction.

The statement by KCDK-E includes the following:

"Freedom of Öcalan and Kurdistan are interdependent"

"The struggle for the freedom of Rêber Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) and the democratic solution of the Kurdish question are intertwined. This is particularly evident in the current phase of attacks. The Turkish state is in a dead end with its dirty war policy and has failed to a large extent due to the resistance of Rêber Apo, the guerrillas and the Kurdish people.

At our Intermediate Congress, a great consensus was shown that the freedom of Rêber Apo means the freedom of Kurdistan. This congress made it certain that this will be the basic direction of all our work and activities. It became clear that the liberation of Rêber Apo and of Kurdistan will only be possible through great struggle and resistance. This is how occupation and betrayal will be defeated.

"Barzani's betrayal spurs us on to fight resolutely"

The Congress strongly condemns the betrayal by the Barzani family. This dirty alliance with Turkish fascism puts all the achievements of the Kurdish people in danger. However, it spurs us to fight resolutely and non-stop against any kind of betrayal.

It was decided to continue the campaign 'Time for Freedom', which has the aim of freedom of Rêber Apo and Kurdistan, even more strongly and effectively and to extend our front work. For this purpose, we have decided on a broad planning. Comprehensive decisions were made in the ideological, social, political, diplomatic and operational fields. The goals of the struggle year were precisely defined.

"Focus on building the councils, communes, cooperatives and academies"

Our congress underlines that the reorganisation and construction of a free society and a free life on the basis of democratic, ecological and women's libertarian principles in all spheres of life is the most fundamental task that cannot be postponed. For the new year of struggle, we have made it our task to intensively take up and develop the work of building society. The Congress has set the goal to continue the work under the slogan 'We want to reach all people from Kurdistan' and to thwart the annihilation attacks of international reactionism and the fascist Turkish state.

"Ideological struggle and construction will be expanded"

Our assembly has decided to develop the activities of the councils, academies, communes, and cooperatives and thereby strengthen the social organisation in Europe. For this, we consider the ecological, democratic and women's libertarian paradigm of Rêber Apo as the basis and take the building and organising work under the slogan 'There are only as many people as you organise' as the central focus.

Fight against the PKK ban

It was also decided to develop and resolutely put into practice result-oriented plans for the removal of the PKK from the 'terror list' and the lifting of the ban on the PKK, which is a major obstacle to organising in Europe and one of the main pillars of isolation. The legal, diplomatic and social activities carried out so far within the framework of the KCDK-E were evaluated and it was made clear that they must be further strengthened and continued.

Ideological struggle against sexism, nationalism and conservatism

The Congress clearly positions itself against all kinds of sexist, nationalist, backward and reactionary attitudes and practices that stand in the way of a democratic, ecological and women's libertarian philosophy. In this sense, it was decided to expand the ideological struggle.

Expanding social centres

Our meeting identified the need to expand our social centres to meet the needs of our people in all areas, and to open new social centres wherever our people live. For this, more members need to be admitted. Important decisions have also been taken and plans developed in this regard.

Successful criticism and self-criticism

Our mid-year meeting discussed the past year in detail. In the end, everyone came out of the discussion with great determination to struggle and with the courageous criticism and self-criticism of shortcomings and own shortcomings.

"We will accept nothing but success"

As KCDK-E, we enter the new year of struggle strengthened and with much more clarity and determination. We want nothing less than to thwart the plans of the genocidal powers and their attacks through our people's own strength through massive resistance. Our determination to do this is greater than ever. We will accept nothing less than success.”