Besê Hozat: PKK's legacy to shape new phase

Hozat delivered a speech at the 12th Congress of the PKK, beginning by saluting Leader Abdullah Ocalan and commemorating PKK founders Ali Haydar Kaytan and Riza Altun with respect, love, and gratitude.

Below is the text of her speech:

"First of all, I greet Leader Apo with love, respect, and gratitude. I also remember comrades Fouad and Riza with love, respect, and gratitude, and I commemorate all the martyrs of the revolution through them with deep respect and appreciation. This day also marks the anniversary of the execution of comrade Deniz, and I remember her with respect and gratitude.

Indeed, this congress is very important. Holding it after 52 years has an emotional impact on people from all sides. But we must ask: Why are we holding this congress? How did we reach this point? When one understands this matter deeply, as the Leader also said, this is not the end, but rather a new beginning. It is a process of change, transformation, and rebuilding. When one looks deeply into history and the struggle, and strives to understand the Leader’s theses on this process, one can easily grasp the outcome. Thus, we can move beyond emotional atmospheres. I’ve witnessed this a little from my perspective, and I’d like to say this: the Leader’s theses are truly remarkable. He presented a political report to every congress. In many of the congresses we attended, those reports were read and discussed, and the congresses concluded with that perspective. We are holding this congress as a result of unparalleled resistance that broke the isolation. The Leader's involvement in this process once again gave us the chance to read his political report, which is a tremendous opportunity. Naturally, creating this ground was the result of major struggle. The fact that this congress was launched based on the Leader’s political report is the outcome of great resistance. The center of that resistance was undoubtedly Imrali.

There has been unmatched resistance in Imrali for 26 years. As the freedom movement, we have followed the line of the Leader’s report since 1999. Of course, there was a period before that, but I especially assess the time after the international conspiracy. We are resisting, and we draw all our strength and faith in resistance from there. If it weren't for the Leader’s five-volume defenses, and if he had not engaged in this process with great resistance since the 7th Congress, could we really have waged such a monumental struggle for 26 years? Could we have endured? Could we have reached this era through such a majestic struggle? When I seek an answer to this question, I believe our movement wouldn’t have lasted this long without the Leader. The Leader took steps with the movement, each time he recreated himself, he revived and renewed the movement. He rebuilt and transformed it. In other words, he imposed transformation, fostered it, and strengthened it.

Now, as a member of the leadership of this movement, if the practical leadership does not transform, free, and recreate itself, how can it bring change to the movement? How can it generate development among the people, supporters, and society? How can it bring about change and transformation? It cannot. The Leader’s approach in this regard is extremely remarkable. He says, “I condensed myself over ten years, and in those ten years, I recreated myself ten thousand times. I evolve with this creation. I challenge this transformation.” The current political report addresses this transformation. When he says, “I renounce armed struggle,” he is also basing it on this transformation. This is very important. We are once again discussing the process of change and transformation.

This is the case with all of the Leader’s political reports, especially this latest one. It consists of 21 pages—almost half of it is historical analysis and evaluation, focusing on women and the contradiction between men and women. It emphasizes changing mentalities, culture, and social transformation. It fully embodies the democratic understanding and communal socialism. This, in itself, requires extensive discussion. We are writing a new history. The history will witness it, and we will be pioneers in it. A history of peoples’ freedom will be written.

The Leader highlights all the truths and roots the freedom of all peoples in these truths. The PKK has certainly played its role. It has left its mark on history. It created great values and meanings, not only for the Kurdish people and Kurdish women but for all humanity. This became part of history. In this sense, it has left a legacy, and we will build the new phase on this great legacy. Drawing strength from this, with confidence, faith, and determination, we will develop this process. We will all be pioneers and strugglers of this new phase. This is a great honor and pride. It truly gives people tremendous enthusiasm. I say this briefly and once again salute all comrades."

A-H

ANHA