Haji Ahmedi, a veteran Kurdish revolutionary and political leader from Rojhilat (Iranian Kurdistan), passed away in Cologne, Germany, on 18 March, following a stroke. Ahmedi, a founding member of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) and former leader of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), was a prominent figure in Kurdish politics for more than five decades.
Kurdish organisations, including the KNK, Kurdistan Democratic Communities Congress (KCDK-E), the umbrella organisation for Kurdish diaspora groups, and PJAK, have expressed their condolences, describing his passing as a major loss for the Kurdish movement.
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The KNK issued a statement honouring Ahmedi’s lifelong commitment to the Kurdish cause and extending condolences to his family, comrades, and the wider Kurdish community. KNK also announced that details of Ahmedi’s funeral arrangements will be shared with the public at a later date.
"Heval [Comrade] Haji Ahmedi, rest assured, we will follow in your footsteps, fulfil your wishes, and continue your struggle."
Born in 1943, Haji Ahmedi was involved in Kurdish political activism from an early age. In 1964, he moved to Germany as a student, where he joined Kurdish nationalist circles. He later continued his education in Czechoslovakia, where he formed a close relationship with Abdurrahman Qasimlo, the leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI, HDK-İ).
Ahmedi returned to Rojhilat (Iranian Kurdistan) in 1979 following the Iranian Revolution, playing a key role in the Kurdish resistance. He became a leading figure within the PDKI, holding senior positions in external relations before later relocating to Europe. Despite living in exile, he remained active in Kurdish politics, serving as a member of the Parliament in Exile and contributing to the foundation of the KNK in the 1990s.
In 2004, he was instrumental in establishing PJAK, the main Kurdish opposition party to the Iranian regime, and was elected as its first General Secretary. He remained an active member of the KNK Executive Council for 26 years, shaping its policies and advocating for Kurdish political rights at an international level.
Despite his advanced age and declining health, Ahmedi remained politically active, particularly in mobilising support for the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement, which gained momentum following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish Iranian woman, in 2022. He participated in protests and demonstrations, standing in solidarity with a new generation of Kurdish activists.
The KNK statement described Ahmedi’s passing as a significant loss for the Kurdish people and the wider revolutionary movement, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the Kurdish cause:
"Haji Ahmedi’s struggle did not end with his passing. His vision and dedication will continue to inspire generations to come."
Ahmedi’s lifelong fight for Kurdish self-determination, his role in shaping Kurdish political structures, and his dedication to transnational advocacy leave behind a legacy that will continue to influence the Kurdish movement in the years ahead.
