KCK: Kurdish people’s unity, democratic struggle are way to prevent massacres

Today, on the anniversary of the Halabja massacre carried out by Saddam Hussein’s regime on March 16, 1988, the co-presidency of the Executive Council of the KCK issued a statement saying:

“On this painful anniversary of the Halabja massacre, which we remember with great sorrow and anger, we honor the memory of the victims who lost their lives. We strongly condemn the authoritarian mentality of those who carried out this atrocity—those who stripped themselves of ethics, conscience, and humanity.”

The statement added: “The Kurdish people, led by the residents of Halabja, will never forget these massacres. They will continue their struggle for freedom and equality until their goals are achieved, holding the murderous mindset historically accountable for its crimes.”

It further noted: “At a time when the Kurdish liberation movement was advancing, colonial forces carried out massacres in Halabja to obstruct the awareness and rise of the Kurdish people. Similar massacres took place during that period in other parts of Kurdistan.”

The statement highlighted that these massacres, particularly Halabja, caused deep pain, significant human losses, and widespread suffering for the Kurdish people. Yet, they failed to achieve their objectives, as the Kurdish resistance strengthened national awareness, organization, and broke the denial policies imposed on them.

It emphasized that while the Kurdish people previously struggled for existence, they now continue their fight for freedom, warning of the ongoing risk of massacres today.

The statement also pointed to recent risks observed in Sheikh Maqsoud and areas of Rojava, noting that Kurdish movements across the four parts of Kurdistan and abroad have helped thwart attempts to target Rojava and incite hostility between Kurds and other communities. Those who previously tried to obstruct Kurdish progress through massacres continue to use similar tactics to oppose their aspirations for freedom.

The KCK stressed that preventing the repetition of such crimes requires maintaining unity and strengthening the joint struggle based on democratic principles.

Additionally, the statement respectfully recalled the Bayazid massacre of March 16, 1978, which resulted in the killing of seven pioneering students; the Qamishlo massacre on March 12, 2004; and the Ghazi massacre on March 12, 1995.

It strongly condemned all officials responsible for these massacres and affirmed: “We are confident that our peoples will firmly demand historical accountability for these massacres through the mindset of the Democratic Nation and the strategy of joint struggle to achieve justice.”

A-H 

ANHA