74th Anniversary of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan

Today marks the 74th anniversary of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan. The 74th anniversary of PDKI was celebrated at one of the party’s bases in Kurdistan.

The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) was founded in the city of Mahabad in Iranian Kurdistan on August 16, 1945. Three years earlier, the founding members of the PDKI had established an organization called Komalay Ziyanaway Kurd (The Society for Kurdish Resurrection). The PDKI was founded to replace Komalay Ziyanaway Kurd for the purpose of creating a modern, well-organized and popular political party with an explicit commitment to democracy, liberty, social justice and gender equality.

Since its establishment in 1945, PDKI has continuously struggled for the rights and dignity of the Kurdish nation. While established in eastern Kurdistan, the party’s influence has reached other parts of Kurdistan as well. For example, one year following its establishment, PDKI founded the short-lived Republic of Kurdistan, which has been a source of inspiration for Kurdish organizations in other parts of Kurdistan in their pursuit of Kurdish national rights and the right to self-determination.

PDKI has also introduced modern norms of civilized politics in the Middle East – a region dominated by aggressive ideologies and plagued by chronic conflicts. Aside from emphasizing the holding of party congresses to promote internal democracy, PDKI has consistently called for toleration of diversity and peace, while promoting gender equality and constructive relations with democratic countries.

For example, following the Iranian revolution, when the U.S. embassy was stormed and its personnel took hostage for 444 days by Islamists, PDKI was the only political organization in Iran that publicly condemned the act as a violation of international law and diplomatic norms. The Peshmerga Forces have also always respected the laws of war when engaged in armed struggle against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

PDKI has thus been a force not only for the liberation of the Kurdish people but also a political force with a vision to transform Kurdistan and Iran into an important country in the Middle East in order to contribute to regional peace and stability.