The Association of Families of Martyrs and Missing Persons (KOMAW) released a written statement to congratulate the Kurdish people and all humanity on Newroz, the freedom festival recognized through decades-long struggles.

“The Newroz has become the greatest freedom festival of mankind as a result of the heroic struggle of Kawa the Blacksmith against Dehaq, a cruel tyrant. It was Mazlum Doğan who revived the spirit of this historical struggle in contemporary times.

Inspired by the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan who took the first step and laid the foundation of the organization on Newroz day on March 21, 1973, the contemporary Kawa, Mazlum Doğan, took the historical second step in the golden pages of the history of Kurdistan by sacrificing himself as a martyr in the Amed prison.

Zekiye Alkan, who took over the torch of struggle and freedom and raised it to the walls of Amed, Rahşan Demirel, who raised it to the İzmir Kadifekale hilltop castle and Sema Yüce, who started the same fire in Çanakkale Prison and spread it all over Turkey, Ronahî and Berîvan, who revived the same spirit in Europe, illuminated Kurdistan, Turkey and the whole world with this fire of freedom.

This year, the precursors and martyrs of the Freedom Movement, who embraced the fighting spirit of Newroz, and built a free life for millions all over Kurdistan in a revolution under the leadership of women in Rojava, are continuing to follow in their footsteps.

We, as the KOMAW, commemorate with gratitude and respect the precursors who kept this historical spirit of struggle, resistance and freedom culture and holiday alive in the minds of the Kurdish people, including all of humanity, along with the peoples of the region.

We congratulate Newroz Day for all humanity, especially these precursors, families of martyrs and our patriotic people who most deserve and yearn for a free life.”