Democratic and Free Society of Eastern Kurdistan (KODAR) Co-chair Fûad Bêrîtan spoke to ANF about the uprising of the people in Rojhilat (Eastern) Kurdistan following the latest killing of two kolbers [Kurdish word for workers who carry weight on their backs for a daily stipend].

Bêrîtan remarked that the protest demonstrations that spread in response to the repeated killing of kolbers were democratic, legitimate and rightful, stating that the demonstrations should continue to avoid similar incidents in the future.

BORDER PORTING IS A RESULT OF IRANIAN REGIME POLICIES

Fûad Bêrîtan pointed out that the emergence of kolberî (border porting) is a result of the policies pursued by the Iranian regime, and said: "Kolberî has risen in Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan) due to the economic elimination of the region, policies of militarization, oppression and tyranny. For that reason, the issue of border porting can never be evaluated separately from the Iranian regime’s policies of denial and annihilation. It is a political, economic and social problem.

It is necessary that we see the democratic and legitimate reactions that emerged in Rojhilat as a sign that the society does not tolerate the situation anymore. It is a social eruption against the Iranian regime. It is a call. Everyone must give voice to this call. It is a political issue and the silence of the Iranian regime is a political stance. Here we need to mention the silence of the international community, too. Silence means complicity and simultaneously bolsters the courage of the Iranian regime."

IRAN WANTS TO CONVEY A MESSAGE TO THE KURDS

KODAR co-chair Fûad Bêrîtan underlined that the Kurdish people pioneer an ideology and own model for the Middle East, and made the following evaluation:

"The state of affairs that emerge in Rojava (Western Kurdistan) as well as the level of the resistance in Bakûr (Northern Kurdistan) clearly leave their mark on Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan). As part of their usual policies, the Iranian regime attempts to intimidate the poor Kurdish people by systematically killings the kolbers. They try to convey this message to the Kurdish people; 'My gun is pointed at you'. It is true that the issue of kolberî existed before as well, but the Iranian regime has intensified its pressures on the kolbers since the freedom struggle and resistance of our people has reached new heights in the other parts of Kurdistan.

The Iranian regime has turned a great part of Rojhilat into a military zone. They have deployed soldiers in all places, and try to create a stifling atmosphere upon the society by penetrating into all fields of life. They have invaded the fields and market places of the people. They do it out of fear. For that reason it will never suffice to analyze the policies waged on kolbers from economic perspective alone. All that is part of the Iranian policy and has the aim to subdue the Kurdish people into their downfall."

THIS IS NO ECONOMIC PROBLEM ALONE

Fûad Bêrîtan addressed the people and political institutions in Rojhilat to approach the issue beyond the economic problems, and said:

"This is an attack on the Kurdish people. All the political powers of the Kurdish people, and anyone who claim to struggle for the Kurdish people, must stand up, unite, and struggle in a united front. We must assemble and discuss these issues to find a way to solution. We must discuss the problems of our people in joint-platforms. As neither our people nor our political powers do expect anything from the state, we have to find a solution by ourselves. Yes, it's true that the state has to make a step, but it will be us to make them do so. We should convene in a national platform and discuss the solution to this problem."

INTERNATIONAL POWERS SHOULD BREAK THEIR SILENCE

KODAR co-chair Fûad Bêrîtan noted that the issue of kolbers does concern the international community in a certain way, even if it seems as an internal issue, and added: "International human rights organisations should break their silence and put the matter on their agenda. They should exert pressure so that Iran would not continue its policies as freely as it wants.”

ORGANIZATION IS THE ONLY WAY OF PROTECTION FROM ATTACKS

Bêrîtan stressed that the only way for kolbers to protect themselves from these attacks is to organize themselves. He said: "They can organize their own network to create the basis for a defense mechanism that will act against the policies of killing, injuring, torturing and jailing in a coordinated manner and demand justice."

At the end, Bêrîtan called on the people to continue their demonstrations until their compatriots and all intellectuals that have been arrested in Banê, Ciwanro, Kirmanshan, Sinê and other places during solidarity demonstrations, get released.

THE KURDISH PEOPLE ADVOCATE FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION

Democratic and Free Society of Eastern Kurdistan (KODAR) Co-chair said the Iranian regime should know that the Kurdish people advocate for a political solution, and added: "If they do not accept that, they should know that the Kurdish people are not helpless or have no other options. The Kurdish people will make use of all ways of self defense, take it from demonstrations to hunger strikes. We on our part will always be standing by the demands of our people."