Avindar Ararat, one of the delegates of the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), shared her views on the congress:
“First, I salute the Leader and renew my loyalty to him once again. I remember comrades Fouad, Reza, Sara, and all the martyrs of the revolution.
The discussions and dialogues taking place at the congress are strategic in nature. We are evaluating the decision for a strategic shift in the struggle, and this congress has been convened for that very purpose.
The discussions we are conducting and the decisions we will make are of strategic significance. We are assessing decisions related to a strategic transformation of the struggle. This congress has convened for that purpose. The PKK has not held a congress in 14 years. As defined by leader Apo, this is followed by a profound process of criticism and self-criticism. The congress will make its decisions in accordance with the strategic vision and decision of the leader. As cadre forces, as fighters of eader Apo, and within the party's official mechanism, this congress has convened to implement the leader’s decision. This is what we are discussing — the congress is historic, and so are the decisions and stances that will emerge from it.
The leader has launched a process of strategic change in the long-term revolutionary popular struggle. He is transforming our struggle strategy into a democratic one — into democratic politics. But the struggle for democratic politics cannot be waged without fundamental defense. The struggle for a democratic strategy, for democratic politics, and for self-defense is a comprehensive struggle. It is not one-sided. It is not right to limit self-defense to armed struggle alone. In our new model, the leader conceptualizes self-defense in a very broad way. This includes aspects of alliance-building, diplomacy, the struggle for democracy, and social organization. Involving society as a whole in defense is the fundamental defensive power. This includes the philosophical, spiritual, cultural, and linguistic dimensions in every sense of the word.
As a defensive force, there should be no disarmament or surrendering of weapons until a permanent agreement is reached. In other words, this should only occur once legal guarantees are provided.
As a strategic measure, we are working on ending armed struggle, but organizing a defense force must be re-established. This is a fundamental necessity."
a.k
ANHA
