TEV-DEM commemorates Ocalan's birthday, YPJ establishment anniversary

The Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) issued a statement on Friday, April 4th, the anniversary of the birth of leader Abdullah Ocalan and the 14th anniversary of the founding of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ). The statement included:

"On the occasion of April 4th; the anniversary of the birth of leader Abdullah Ocalan, and in coincidence with the anniversary of the Women's Protection Units' establishment, the Democratic Society Movement (TEV-DEM) extends its deepest appreciation and respect for these two occasions, which embody the integrated struggle for freedom and democracy."

The statement continued, "The birth of leader Abdullah Ocalan was not merely a passing historical event, but rather a profound intellectual turning point that reshaped the concepts of struggle and liberation in the Middle East. He established the philosophy of the democratic nation, which placed women's freedom at the heart of its liberation project and linked freedom and peace as inseparable paths. From this perspective, the experience of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) emerged as a living, practical embodiment of this philosophy, transforming women from a position of marginalization to one of leadership, and from victims of authoritarian regimes to makers of history."

The statement noted, "Through its struggle and resistance in various fields, YPJ has proven that the leader's ideology has not remained confined to theory, but has been embodied in the living reality of organized society, where women have played a pivotal role in defending the land and dignity, and confronting the forces of terrorism and obscurantism. The immense sacrifices made by YPJ female fighters, and the victories achieved, were not merely military accomplishments, but a global declaration of the birth of a new era of women’s liberation."

It further stated, "The dialectical relationship between the ideology of leader Ocalan and the YPJ's experience confirms that the liberation of society begins with the liberation of women, and that building a free and democratic society cannot be achieved without breaking the mental and social constraints imposed on women. Today, the YPJ has become an international symbol of the feminist liberation struggle and a source of inspiration for democratic movements around the world."

The movement affirmed in its statement that "the physical freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan is an urgent necessity for achieving peace and stability in the region, and that protecting the gains achieved by women through the YPJ struggle is a historic responsibility that falls upon everyone."

The statement pledged to continue the path of democratic struggle, promote a culture of dialogue, and work towards establishing a democratic peace that guarantees the rights of all peoples without exclusion or marginalization.

It emphasized that April 4th, with its profound significance, is not merely the anniversary of the leader's birth, but the birth of a free thought and a comprehensive liberation project, embodied today in the will of free women and in the peoples' pursuit of both freedom and peace.