The “Conference on the Importance of Kurdish National Unity,” organized by the Initiative for Democratic Unity, has begun in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı.
A two-day conference promoting Kurdish unity began in the Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı on Saturday. The event, organized by the Initiative for Democratic Unity, is themed “With the goal of unity on the path to peace”. Participants include the co-chairs of the DBP (Democratic Regions Party), Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar and Keskin Bayındır, politician Gültan Kışanak, representatives of the DEM Party, mayors, members of parliament, delegations from civil society organizations, and numerous activists and delegates from various regions of Kurdistan, including Peace Mothers from Roboski and Zîlan.

“Historic meeting”

In her opening speech, Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit, co-spokesperson for the Initiative for Democratic Unity, described the conference as a “historic meeting.” She said that the Kurdish people had resisted assimilation and extermination policies for over a century. “Today, in the tradition of Ehmedê Xanî, we are taking an important step toward the unity of our people,” she said and called for political differences to be overcome and for everyone to work together to build a democratic society.

The Initiative co-spokesperson Mehmet Kamaç emphasized the need for a common vision, saying: “Today, the enemies of the Kurds still want to destroy them. We must build our future together. We will continue our work until a national congress is convened. Kurds are one in four parts. With the steps taken in Sulaymaniyah under the leadership of women, Kurds have once again broken the wheel of fate. Mr. Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ must be embraced by every Kurd. Everyone must fight for the unity of the Kurdish people.”

First session: “Lack of alliance in Kurdish history and its consequences”

The first session, titled “Lack of alliance in Kurdish history and its consequences”, was moderated by İlhan Tan.

Speaking here, author Îhsan Colemêrgî emphasized that the geography of Kurdistan has always been a place where rulers waged their wars, saying, “Lack of alliance has always been the biggest problem of the Kurds and has led to their division into four parts. One of the greatest losses of the Kurds is their religious brotherhood with the ruling countries. Religion is a powerful weapon. If the religion of the rulers and the colonized is the same, religion turns into a sword hanging over the necks of the colonized. I support the process that has been initiated. The Kurds must never submit to the rulers. The Kurds will undoubtedly achieve success in the coming century.

Cemile Turhallı Balsak, co-spokesperson for the Language, Culture, and Arts Commission of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), said, Let's build our alliance from within. Alliances exist everywhere in nature; it is in our nature to form alliances. If there is an alliance everywhere, why aren't the Kurds forming one? Kurdistan is a country without borders. We see how hegemonic states divided Kurdistan into pieces with the Treaty of Lausanne. Throughout history, the sole dream of all Kurds has been unity, but this has never been achieved. Our sole aim is to strengthen our unity.

Ikbal Durre stated that the alliance is the most important point for the Kurds and said, “It is necessary to understand what an alliance is. This situation is not unique to the Kurds. Many peoples and states around the world are experiencing difficulties with this alliance issue. For instance, there are still problems even between the PUK and the KDP. Economic relations play a decisive role in this regard. Historically, we have been divided into five parts. It is very difficult for these parts to adopt a unified stance. We are one, but we do not all think the same way. What we need to do is preserve our differences and solve all our problems together. I believe this process will contribute positively to this matter. For example, even the Turkic Republics have not achieved this unity. Kurds possess an important awareness regarding unity. We must set aside our divisions and work toward unity without delay.

At this point, Kurds must support each other. They must see the reality. There are rulers who are deepening this lack of alliance. In spite of them, we must achieve it. For example, the fact that the weapon-burning ceremony took place in Kurdistan and the parties concerned acted in unison could lead to certain situations. Today, despite the ongoing process, Turkey is unable to overcome the breaking points. The Kurds are waiting, but the other side cannot seem to cross the line of a breaking point. Problems that have existed for 200 years cannot be resolved in a short time. The turbulent process offers great hope, but, of course, there is also a risk. A way must be found for the status of the Kurds. This status is also in the interest of the dominant states. No one can afford the luxury of ignoring the Kurds. The Kurds are now subjects and will become much more important in the future. The order that will be established in Rojava is an example for the world. Because Rojava is a laboratory for this. The West also needs to understand this well.[1]