EBÎR MUHAMED

Qamishlo- The Democratic Union Party (PYD) held its 10th Congress in the city of Hasakah, Jazira Canton of North and East Syria, between September 21-22 with the participation of 700 delegates, with the motto, “Together for achieving the physical freedom of Leader Apo, strengthening of the Autonomous Administration and building of a democratic Syria.”

 At the congress, Perwîn Yûsif and Xerîb Hiso were elected as the new Co-chairs of the party. NuJINHA spoke to Şerîfe Mihemed, member of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Assembly, about the congress.

 We held our 10th congress despite the ongoing attacks, Şerîfe Mihemed said. “The PYD has maintained its struggle with strong determination since it was founded in 2003. As everyone knows, our party is a political party, but it also organizes activities, aimed at the organization of society. We elected our new Co-chairs, our 6-person board of co-presidency and our assembly members at our 10th congress attended by 700 delegates. Many issues were discussed and news decisions were made at the congress.”

 ‘The congress was a successful congress’

Women and young people play an important role in the PYD, Şerife Mihemed said. “The system of the PYD is a system based on a co-presidential system. The congress was a successful congress thanks to women and young people. They have definitely an important role in the party.  Before the congress, women and young people held their own conferences. At the congress and both conferences, the physical freedom of leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) was emphasized.”

‘We are ready for dialogue’

As the PYD, we are ready for dialogue with all parties to the Syrian conflict, including the Syrian government to ensure the unity of Kurdish people. We are also ready to negotiate with the Turkish state despite its ongoing attacks on us. We do not want war but we, of course, defend ourselves against all kinds of attacks. The PYD does not want Syria to be divided.”