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Sinan Çiftyurek, leader of the Kurdistan Communist Party (KKP), and Ahmet Kaya, deputy leader of the People and Freedom Party (PIA), commented on the Newroz celebrations, which will be held in 72 centres this year under the slogan “Dem dema serkeftinê ye” (Now is the time to win) reported by Mesopotamia News Agency.
The importance of Newroz and isolation of Öcalan
“The Kurds have long fought a struggle in four parts of Kurdistan, especially in Bakurê (northern) Kurdistan. At a time of increasing pressure on Kurdish politics, we said ‘It is time to win’ ” said Ahmet Kaya, deputy leader PIA regarding this year’s slogan “Dem dema serkeftinê ye”.
Kaya noted that the declaration that the Kurdistan Alliance Work Group prepared for this year’s celebrations included demands such as the freedom of Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan and national unity.
“Unless the isolation on Öcalan is lifted, it is clear that the path of dialogue cannot be opened for a solution to the Kurdish question. Of course, with isolation, isolation has also been imposed on sick prisoners and prisoners who are not released despite they have completed their sentences. In other words, the basis of these violation of rights is the isolation imposed on Mr. Öcalan. With the lifting of the isolation on Öcalan, the other isolations we mentioned will be eliminated.”
It is time for unity
Kaya pointed out that Kurdish being accepted as an official and educational language is among their demands.
“On Newroz day, we’ll have made this demand even bigger. Our language demand is our red line. Our other demand is national unity. Our greatest desire and dream is to achieve unity.”
Freedom of Kurds
KKP leader Sinan Çiftyurek on the other hand, underlined the importance of coming together for Newroz with common demands.
“The freedom of political prisoners, especially Mr. Öcalan , must be all of ours common demand. Apart from the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) , we have agreed as alliance parties that we should also demand freedom for Mr. Öcalan . Öcalan has been imprisoned for 24 years and must now be free. All Kurdish political prisoners must be free,” he said.
He also commented on the current agenda:
“The affects Ukraine-Russian war will be felt in the Middle East, especially in Kurdistan. States such as Iran, Syria and Turkey are threatening the Kurds. So the Kurds are being threatened right now with something similar to what Russia did to Ukraine. Therefore, we appeal to our people and to all four parts of Kurdistan; The day is the day for national unity.”
