YRJ: Inspired by leader Ocalan’s vision, we will change ourselves and society

Gurbet Ali Arzûz was born in 1965 in the village of Ziver, in the Palu district of Kharpet (Elazığ), Northern Kurdistan. After completing her primary education in her village, her family moved to Adana, where she completed middle and secondary school. She later graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry at Adana University and began her professional career working for the magazine Hedef (“The Target”).

Arzûz was arrested during her journalistic work on January 10, 1990, and subjected to 15 days of torture. She was imprisoned for two years in Malatya Prison, and after her release, she resumed her journalistic career, becoming the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Özgür Ülke (“Free Country”) in Northern Kurdistan and Turkey.

This Fire Will Burn You Too

During the 1990s, the Turkish state continued its campaign of torture, killing, and village burnings against the Kurds in Northern Kurdistan. Özgür Ülke became the voice of the people and the mirror reflecting the true face of the Turkish state. On the night of January 2, 1994, the newspaper’s offices in Ankara and Istanbul were attacked in a state-orchestrated bombing, killing journalist Ersin Yıldız and injuring 23 journalists.

At the time, Gurbet Ali Arzûz was the newspaper’s editor-in-chief. The next day, the newspaper reappeared with the headline:“This Fire Will Burn You Too.”

Following increased pressure and persecution, Arzûz decided to continue her struggle in the mountains of Kurdistan, joining the guerrilla ranks in 1995 under the nom de guerre Zeyneb Aker. She was martyred in Southern Kurdistan on October 8, 1997.

Her writings from 1995–1997 were later published in a book titled “Memoirs of Gurbet: I Engraved My Heart in the Mountains.”

On October 7, 2013, her comrades and followers founded the Kurdish Women’s Media Union (RAJIN), declaring this day the Day of Kurdish Women’s Journalism.

“She Taught Us How to Turn Media into a Tool of Resistance”

Speaking to ANHA Agency, spokesperson Arin Swed discussed the legacy left by Gurbet Ali Arzûz and the responsibilities that fall upon women journalists today.

“Gurbet Ali Arzûz did not leave us only the legacy of women’s journalism; she taught us how to transform media into a tool of resistance against authoritarian and oppressive systems within the revolution. This legacy continues today across North and East Syria.”

She continued: “What began with just two women journalists has now grown to more than two hundred across North and East Syria. Every woman joining the field of media represents an achievement and a strengthening of this legacy.”

“Historically, the system has always attacked women’s being, their minds, and their hearts—stripping them of self-confidence. As Women’s Media Union, we have taken it upon ourselves to pave the way for women journalists, remove obstacles before them, support them, and restore women’s strength in the revolutionary field. It is our duty as the Women’s Media Union (YRJ) to help establish women’s systems within the revolution and the Democratic Nation project, and to communicate them to the world.”

The Leader Abdullah Ocalan, issued on February 27 a Call for Peace and a Democratic Society, marking the beginning of a new phase. He emphasized that women will lead this stage.

Addressing the responsibilities of women journalists in this new era, Arin Swed, spokesperson for the YRJ, stated: “Writing about peace becomes more difficult when it is done through our own pens as women journalists. It requires great courage, a wide vision, and deep insight. Therefore, all women journalists must shoulder this responsibility.”

She added: “Since the day the call was made, we have concentrated our efforts on studying the messages from Imrali, reviewing history, analyzing the status of women, and reflecting on Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s evaluations of these issues — so that we may transform ourselves, women, and society.”

Concluding her remarks, Swed said: “We will keep the promise we made to our comrades Gurbet Ali Arzûz, Şehvin Binkol, Nûcan, Cihan, and all the martyrs. We will continue our work guided by their vision and their desire for women to take the lead.”

a.k

ANHA