Press Release of Kongra Gel, — At this historical time when the freedom movement of the Kurdish people is on the verge of victory, we have successfully completed our Kongra Gel 8th General Assembly in the Medya Defence Regions between the 5 – 10th May 2011, with the participation of our associations, organizations and the representatives of our people from four parts of Kurdistan and Europe.
The month of May is an important one in the history of our struggle which has witnessed the crucial resistance and martyrdom of some of our most valued comrades. This May has also seen the magnificent uprisings of our people, and it is with this loyalty to our martyrs and people that we convened our General Assembly, and discussed the relevant agenda and reached important decisions. The assembly discussed the most recent political developments in Kurdistan, the region and the world in a detailed and comprehensive manner and reached conclusions regarding the policies to be implemented in the near future. In light of the arguments that were conducted, decisions regarding the ideological, political, organizational, social and legitimate defence spheres were taken.
The Kongra Gel 8th General Assembly has, after evaluating the recent developments in the world, region and Kurdistan, reached the conclusion that the events unfolding in the Middle East are evidence of the bankruptcy of the capitalist modernist system. It has become evident that the anti-democratic systems and increasing injustice and poverty, and the sexist, nationalist and individualist ideologies enforced on society by the capitalist modernist system have resulted in a deep crisis. This systemic crisis has intensified the yearning and struggle for freedom of the Arab and other peoples in the Middle East and begun a new period.
The Kurdistan Freedom Movement has since its foundation been the leading democratic emancipatory forces of the peoples of the region. With the increasing rebellions it has been determined by the assembly that our position has strengthened and the opportunities for victory have ripened. On the other hand it is evident that international hegemonic powers are attempting to divert the struggles for democracy and freedom and reshape the region to serve their own interests. It is evident that although they are trying to seem like they are in support of the peoples struggle; their only aim is to annihilate the powers that they see as being obstacles in the way of their own hegemony. These international powers have given the AKP government and Turkish state a role in this power struggle and have set their sights on annihilating the Kurdistan Freedom Movement.
It has been determined by the 8th Kongra Gel General Assembly that the Kurdish issue is the most fundamental issue of the region and Middle East and that further conflict and policies of dead-lock of this issue will only lead to chaos and instability and create different and unexpected problems and situations. Despite the bankrupt method of violence implemented by sovereign powers, the recent return to these policies of violence by the Turkish state and its international supporters has begun endangering the existence of the Kurdish people. In this respect the new period is historically important and carries within it the dynamics and opportunities for victory but also elimination and annihilation.
Our General Assembly stated once again that a resolution to the Kurdish issue should be reached within the framework of the democratic nation, a joint homeland and democratic republic principles and the recognition of democratic self-rule in all parts of Kurdistan, by using peaceful means and dialogue. However the Turkish state and AKP government have not taken any positive steps towards a solution despite all the efforts of our Leader Abdullah Ocalan and our movement. In contrast they have implemented political genocide against legal Kurdish politics and intensified military operations against guerrillas in a defence position. The insistence on crushing the people and eliminating the freedom movement has continued. Our 8th General Assembly has discussed these issues in a comprehensive fashion and despite the insistence of the Turkish state and AKP government on deadlock, decided the course of action to be taken. Accordingly the Kongra Gel General Assembly (the highest decision making body of the movement) has decided that although a solution based on dialogue is the fundamental preference; if the Turkish state do not take tangible steps in this respect then all forms of resistance and struggle will become viable to make the year 2011 one of resolution.
The Kongra Gel General Assembly has also deemed it necessary to call on the states of Iran and Syria to abandon their policies of deadlock and not to ally themselves with the anti-Kurdish policies of the Turkish state, but instead to develop a solution based on a process of democratic transformation and fraternity of peoples. Furthermore the Kongra Gel General Assembly has emphasized the strategic importance of convening a national congress from all parts of Kurdistan by developing national democratic unity to protect and nurture the national interests of the Kurdish people against all attacks and dangers. The assembly has decided that it is of historic importance and responsibility that the interests and freedom of all parts of Kurdistan be taken into consideration and a program and organization be formed in the spirit of democratic unity. Based on this it has called on all the patriotic democratic forces in Kurdistan to shoulder their responsibilities.
Our General Assembly has also called on all international powers to abandon their support and implementation of policies of denial and annihilation and act responsibly in developing a democratic solution based on improving democracy and stability in the region. We have also appealed to international democracy forces to raise their voices and take action against the outdated assimilationist policies, violence and state terror practiced against our people. Based on the spirit of the democratic nation, our General Assembly has deemed it necessary and decided to strengthen and expand the struggle by joining forces with the democratic forces in Turkey and all parts of Kurdistan to counter racist-fascist policies. It has called especially on the leftist, socialist and democracy forces in Turkey to take action against the conspiracies employed by NATO’s Gladio forces and to develop the joint future of our peoples by joining forces to expand the democracy front.
The General Assembly has emphasized, following comprehensive political discussion, that the only system that will be able to realize the freedom of all languages, cultures and religions, the fraternity of all peoples and the exposure of the democratic will of the people without conflict, discrimination and oppression, is the Democratic Confederal system founded on the freedom of women. Equality, freedom and justice between peoples and sexes will only be possible with the construction of a moral and political society. This is why our assembly has decided that its fundamental role is the construction of the Democratic Confederal system and that this begins immediately by making use of previous experiences.
The importance of diplomacy and information sharing in publicizing and familiarizing the just struggle of our people with the world, and the exposure of the massacres and state terror endured was highlighted by our assembly. The project proposed for the development of the support for and solidarity with the Kurdish people’s freedom struggle and the acceptance of the democratic self-rule solution model was accepted. Furthermore it has been decided at this crucial final phase that the defence forces be kept strong and ready for a possible revolutionary people’s war and that the people’s uprising be directed more effectively. The importance of the leading role needed to be played by the youth and women of Kurdistan in this period has especially been emphasized. The assembly has called on primarily the women and youth of Kurdistan and also all other sections of society to come together around the political line of Leader Ocalan and play their roles as effectively as possible.
With the struggle of our heroic martyrs and the teachings of our Leader Abdullah Ocalan, the Kurdish people have come to the threshold of victory. However with the continuing attacks of enemy forces it is imperative that the right sensibility be shown regarding the roles and responsibilities of the period to dispel the dangers and possible tragedies that may be awaiting the Kurdish people. The Kongra Gel 8th General Assembly sees this new period and has determined it as the solution and freedom phase. It believes that the conditions for success are now more prevalent than ever before. In this sense the most fundamental duty of this period is to end the captivity of our Leader and construct a lasting and honourable solution to the Kurdish issue. This is the historical responsibility of our movement.
In the light of these assessments the Kongra Gel 8th General Assembly has taken historic decisions and approved projects for certain spheres within the movement. The final item on the agenda has been the election of a new committee to carry out the decisions and realize the projects. The Kongra Gel has elected the General President, four council board members, the Executive Council President and thirty members for the Executive Council for two years in a democratic election. An eleven member High Justice Council has been chosen to enforce justice independently based on the moral and political society perspective. Permanent commission members have been designated to prepare projects and proposals for Kongra Gel meetings during the two years.
In its closing agenda the Kongra Gel General Assembly called on all its cadres, workers, commandants and soldiers to approach their roles and responsibilities with the utmost seriousness and to participate with all their being to turn this period into one of victory. Our General Assembly assessed this period as a final and called on all its cadres, all patriotic Kurds and all friends to carry out their responsibilities. The agenda of the Kongra Gel 8th General Assembly was concluded following comprehensive discussions in a successful manner. We hope that the decisions taken will bring the best for our Leader Apo, the brave and selfless people of Kurdistan and the all the peoples of the Middle East.
Executive Board of People’s Congress of Kurdistan (Kongra Gel).
Executive Council of the People’s Union of Kurdistan (KCK) 12th May 2011