International Initiative
Freedom for Ocalan Peace in Kurdistan
P.O. Box 100511, D-50445 Koeln
E-Mail: info@freedom-for-ocalan.com
Url: www.freedom-for-ocalan.com
Cologne, 17 November 2003
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE BRIEFINGS:
Final Declaration of the Foundation Conference
of the People's Congress of Kurdistan (KONGRA GEL)
On November 15, 2003 the newly-founded Kurdistan People's Congress
(KONGRA-GEL) announced its foundation on a press-conference near
Suleymania in South-Kurdistan which was broadcast live by Arab tv-station
Aljazeera.
We document the declaration that was given by Kongra-Gel during
this broadcast:
***
Final Declaration of the Foundation Conference
of the People's Congress of Kurdistan (KONGRA GEL)
With the 21st Century, the world has entered a new era, that of
democratic civilisation. Based on scientific-technical development,
deep rooted changes in the economic, social, political and cultural
spheres are taking place. The dazzling developments and possibilities
that have arisen in information and communications technology have
made easy access to all sorts of information a concrete possibility,
which has opened the way for material changes in individual's thinking
by allowing for individual knowledge and collective enlightenment
beyond the boundaries and matrixes established by the given authorities.
For the first time in history there is a consensus among the dominant
orders and their oppositions on the issues of human rights, democracy,
women's freedom and ecology. Although this has limited practical
value, it does increasingly unite all social forces on principal
points.
The intervention of the USA and Britain in the Middle East that
has arisen from the Iraq crisis is a pivotal event in this process.
The theocratic, oligarchic and autocratic regimes, which have deep
historical roots in the Middle East, and the narrow nationalist
and fanatic religious mindsets underpinning them, constitute a major
impediment not only to a free democratic development, but also to
the flow of international capital and global domination. From both
points of view, they pose obstacles that need to be overcome. The
Middle Eastern regimes, failing to display the capacity for change
by way of inner dynamics, have been brought to this very point through
foreign intervention. While the results of this intervention initiated
a new period that is bound to have world-wide repercussions, it
has also paved the way for democratic forces and developments.
This new situation has kindled an intense and complex struggle
between the forces favouring change in the region and those who
want to preserve the status quo. The Kurdish question, which is
one of the oldest and principal issues that await resolution, and
the Kurdish national-democratic struggle that has appeared as a
result of it, are both determining and influential regional factors
during this process of change, and themselves deeply affected by
it. While the chances for a democratic solution of the Kurdish question
have increased, the strategic role of the Kurds in the restructuring
of the region has likewise increased.
The democratic restructuring of the Middle East is impossible without
the resolution of the Kurdish question on the basis of a democratic,
free union. On the other hand, a resolution of the Kurdish question
can hardly be achieved without the creation of a fully democratic
Middle East. Democratisation among the Kurds amounts to democratisation
among the Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Assyrian-Syriac, Armenian, Turkmen,
Azeri, and Jewish peoples.
The trajectory of contemporary democracy, the developments in our
region and the accumulated experience of thirty years of struggle
have urged on us the duty to adopt a new program and far-reaching
organisational reforms in the Kurdish democratic movement. The Kurdish
freedom movement, which is the leading force in the creation of
modern democracy in the new era in the Middle East, has thus made
another significant step on the path to democracy by fulfilling
these responsibilities. From 27 October to 6 November 2003, 360
delegates from all the four corners of the earth, and from different
areas of activity, have congregated in the Qandil area of Southern
Kurdistan. The People's Congress of Kurdistan (KONGRA-GEL) was founded
to mark a new epoch for our people. The Manifesto of Democratic
Civilisation drafted by the Kurdish people's Leader, Abdullah Öcalan,
and his recent work, the Defence of Free Human Being, pointed the
direction by outlining the essentials for the establishment of a
democratic and ecological society.
The KONGRA-GEL aims at superseding all models of political organisation
formed to the end of establishing or destroying state power. Its
objective is to achieve a democratisation of state and society by
resolving national, social and gender contradictions, and establishing
a way of life in harmony with nature. The foundation of KONGRA-GEL
is therefore of significance not only to our people, but to the
peoples of the world.
Challenging policies based on denial and annihilation, the Kurdish
democracy movement continuously gains momentum. In all regions of
Kurdistan and beyond, mass actions are continuing, and important
advances in the institutional field are made. Kurds have been empowered
to express their desire for a democratic solution and the acknowledgement
of Kurdish identity in terms of organised struggle and rising democratic
awareness. The foundation of the People' Congress means the expression
of these demands in terms of a legal framework. In this respect,
the People's Congress aspires to become the democratic expression
and political representation of the people's will. It has adopted
the view that the Kurdish question can only be solved on the basis
of a democratic, free union within the borders of Turkey, Iran,
Syria and Iraq.
In consequence, KONGRA-GEL does not aim at dismantling the states
in which Kurds live. Its stance towards these states will depend
on their receptiveness to the Kurdish issue. The People's Congress
does not aim at division or separation; to the contrary it aims
at a contemporary democratic union respecting the unity of country
and state. It believes that this approach responds to the vital
needs both of the Kurds and of the neighbouring nation states. It
aims at preventing the enfeebling use of reciprocal violence fuelled
by nationalist sentiments, and providing a non-violent and unifying
solution that will make it possible to transform the Kurds' existence
in the Middle East from a cause of crisis into a source of energy
for all Middle Eastern communities. The Middle East is in urgent
need for democracy. The Kurds' democracy project initiated by the
KONGRA-GEL further encompasses the settlement of all issues that
breed instability and violence in the Middle East. The Arab-Israel
conflict has become a vicious circle that can only be grappled with
by observing the democratic rights and freedoms of both parties
to it. KONGRA-GEL espouses a solution along these lines.
The democratic advance envisioned by the People's Congress is not
limited to its political projects, but entails a radical revision
of the organisational structure and the functioning of leadership
in the Kurdish movement. It has renewed its program and charter,
abandoned the rigid and narrow cadre organisation informed by outdated
principles, and decided to transform into a democratic people's
organisation that may encompass the whole of society. It shall move
forward on lawful and legitimate grounds and step up the democratic
struggle! The Congress has adopted revolutionary ideas as to its
organisational institutionalisation, envisaging a fully democratic
structure in which neither tribal or family bonds nor class and
national affiliation, but solely the free preference of the individual
shall link it to the struggle. The movement for freedom and democracy
in Kurdistan has said farewell to the Middle Eastern organisational
traditions inspired by state socialism, and thus challenged dogmatism,
and the despotism it breeds, within its own ranks.
With nearly 30 years of struggle based on the heroic sacrifice
of countless fighters, our movement has become a formidable force
for political and social change throughout the Middle East. The
progressive dissolution of the traditional family ties and feudal
social structures in Kurdistan illustrates this. Our position on
this issue will be continued by the KONGRA-GEL. The importance attached
to the freedom of women, and the perspective of restructuring society
account for the fundamental social policies and projects of KONGRA-GEL.
At the heart of these efforts is the project for a rearrangement
of social life. The project, beginning with a reform of inner-organisational
structures, aims at the re-organisation of the relationships between
individual and society, human beings and nature, women and men,
according to a democratic-ecological understanding.
The struggle of the Kurdish people in all regions of Kurdistan
and internationally was always based on the demand to live according
to universal human rights and democratic criteria. Our people are
deeply aware that the path leading there goes through a thorough
democratisation of its own structures. As a part and parcel of this,
KONGRA-GEL regards the establishment and development of Kurdish
democracy as its fundamental responsibility. The democratisation
of society goes through the reorganisation of the relations between
state and individual, society and individual, society and state
and, again, human beings and nature, all set in a globalising world.
In this respect, KONGRA-GEL, seeking to guarantee individual rights
and freedoms, adopted a Declaration of Democratic Rights, which
defines the relations of the Kurds with neighbouring peoples and
as citizens of given states according to universal law. This Declaration
outlines inner-Kurdish democracy, and may serve as a constitutional
framework for their self-organisation. The Kurdish democracy is
going to be the ferment for a Middle Eastern Democratic Union.
KONGRA-GEL believes that the political, social, cultural and economic
rights of the Kurds can only be attained through democratic political
struggle. It regards the right to self-defence as defined in various
international agreements and UN resolutions as a universal right.
The continuation of the policies of denial and annihilation against
the Kurdish people and the captivity of our leader under solitary
confinement render legitimate self-defence a crucial moment of the
national-democratic struggle of the Kurds. Therefore, as long as
these conditions continue, the use of all means of self-defence
available under international law is vital. The "Road Map"
announced by KADEK in August 2003 has been adopted by KONGRA-GEL
as a reasonable framework for a democratic solution to the Kurdish
question, but the time schedule of it has been revised.
[
] The establishment of KONGRA-GEL shall be welcomed by the
Kurdish people with reinvigorated mass actions of civil disobedience
(serhildan). [
] The establishment of KONGRA-GEL is a call
for action. [
] With its democratic, open organisational structures,
the People's Congress carries characteristics that should enable
every freedom-loving Kurd to participate and contribute. It offers
opportunities according to everyone's position and skills. [
]
The foundation of KONGRA-GEL has created a new opportunity for
democratisation and the solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey.
The political representatives of the Kurdish people have always
spent considerable efforts on finding a solution that would benefit
both peoples. They did not receive a response from the Turkish authorities,
intransigently refusing to tackle the issue. However, it is clear
that there is no other way but dialogue for the resolution of the
issue and the democratisation of Turkey. The Kurdish and the Turkish
people have always favoured democracy. KONGRA-GEL pays its respect
to this desire and invites the government of Turkey to show the
same respect. The developments in the region and the EU membership
run-up facilitate a solution of this type. For this reason, we call
on the Turkish authorities to abandon their bankrupt policies and
enter a dialogue with KONGRA-GEL!
The freedom of President Öcalan, who is regarded as the undisputed
leader of the Kurdish people, is of vital importance. If a rapprochement
is desired, urgent steps need to be taken: The Republic of Turkey
should no longer play at the gradual decomposition of its perceived
opponent, but indicate their good will by improving the conditions
of detention of President Öcalan. This is how peace may be
given a chance and war can be averted.
The Kurdish people have never shown hostility to the states of
Iran and Syria in spite of the antagonisms and problems they faced.
However, the present conjuncture does not allow the Kurdish issue
in these countries to remain unresolved any longer. At a time when
external pressure and the shadow of intervention are looming, the
only way to decrease the danger of intervention is to embark upon
democratisation and tackle the Kurdish question. Anything else will
cause the Kurdish people to intensify their struggle in these countries.
KONGRA-GEL calls on Iran and Syria to undertake steps towards a
resolution and establish constitutional safeguards for the Kurdish
people's existence in accordance with international law and political
norms.
After the intervention, Iraq is moving towards a democratic federal
system. KONGRA-GEL recognises the perspective of a democratic federal
Iraq, which would amount to the free and voluntary union of different
communities, nations and creeds, as an important milestone. We call
on the temporary council, and on all parties, organisations and
associations to unite for the sake of true democracy!
The Middle Eastern people share common historical, social and cultural
values with the Kurdish people and are its principal democratic
allies. The People's Congress of Kurdistan calls on the peoples
of the Middle East, and indeed on all the peoples of the world to
rally in unity for the creation of a democratic, ecological world
system.
By intervening against the Saddam regime, at the hands of which
the Kurds and all people of Iraq suffered oppression, the USA has
played an important part in initiating a new era. KONGRA-GEL welcomes
this move on the part of the USA, but wishes to point out that constructive
results can only arise once a permanent solution to the Kurdish
question is found and implemented. The foundation of the People's
Congress shall augment the process of establishing a new order.
Therefore, KONGRA-GEL believes that there is a need for initiating
a new political process between the USA and the political representatives
of the Kurds, who are one of the chief democratic forces in the
region. KONGRA-GEL calls on the USA to recognise all Kurdish political
formations as representatives of the Kurdish people and partners
in dialogue. It moreover invites the USA to consider the national
and democratic rights of the Kurdish people in its dealings with
the other states in the region.
Starting with its program and charter, all documents of the KONGRA-GEL
are in accordance with European norms. The KONGRA-GEL is the strongest
espouser of democratic values in the Middle East. The promotion
of democracy entails supporting the approach of the People's Congress.
We call on the EU member states to abandon their traditional Middle
Eastern policies and support the democracy project initiated by
our people.
KONGRA-GEL believes that a free Kurdish identity is tantamount
to a renewed Middle East. While the Middle East is in a phase of
transformation, KONGRA-GEL shall endeavour to become the principal
dynamic of democratic civilisation in Mesopotamia, the cradle of
civilisation.
Slavery and despotism in the Middle East shall be defeated, freedom
and democracy shall be triumphant!
Executive Council of the People's Congress of Kurdistan,
11 November 2003
|