Kurdish political parties and organisations commemorated the 71st anniversary of the Republic of Kurdistan across the Kurdish regions in the Middle East and Europe today.
Declared in Mahabad in the Kurdish region of Iran -called Eastern Kurdistan by Kurds- on 22 January 1946, the republic was led by jurist Qazi Mihemmed (Mohammad – pictured), whose committee had administered the area for 5 years before autonomy was declared.
Kurdish self-governance was shortlived however and collapsed after just 11 months when Soviet withdrawal from the area left the Kurdish entity defenceless against Iran. The leaders of the republic, including Qazi Muhammad were hanged for treason on 31 March 1947.
Kurds remembered the republic and its gains in an event organised by the Free Women’s Society of East Kurdistan (KJAR) in Finland, where a large Kurdish community lives.
The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) also made a statement saying the experience and spirit gained from the republic had inspired Kurds to continue struggling for freedom.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party-Iran (KDP-I), the party founded by Qazi Mihemmed celebrated the republic at their bases in the Qandil mountains with dancing and speeches by KDP-I fighters.
A commemoration was also held at the University of Slemani in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq, where musicians performed songs and read poems. In a statement to Roj News organisers said they wanted to keep alive the memory of the struggle in Mahabad.”
Mazlum Heften, an Executive Committee Member of the Free and Democratic Society of Eastern Kurdistan (KODAR) also made a statement on the anniversary and said “the will of Qazi Muhammad is being realised in Rojava.”
Social media users also celebrated the anniverary by sharing videos and photos from the era of the republic under the hashtag #Mahabad.
It is still illegal to support Kurdish rights or self-determination in Iran, whilst being a member of a Kurdish organisation is punishable by hanging in the Islamic Republic.
Source: KURDISH QUESTION
