Through her struggle Zilan gave a new meaning to life

Kongra Star wrote a statement to commemorate the fighter and martyr Zîlan (Zeynep Kınacı), and, in her person, also other women who decided to give all they had, including their lives, for the struggle. In the statement we read, “With respect, loyalty, and gratitude, we mark today the twenty-ninth anniversary of the sacrifice of Zeyneb Kınacı, a symbol of our struggle for freedom. Through her legacy, we remember all the martyrs of June and the courageous women who gave everything for the cause of liberation—comrades such as Sema, Viyan, Rewşen, and Elefteriya—who became bridges to freedom through their bodies.”

Stressing her role in the Kurdish Liberation Movement, the statement continues, “Zilan’s philosophy and example have become iconic in the history of the Kurdish liberation movement. Her self-sacrifice, remembered for twenty-nine years, remains a call to arms for women fighters, thinkers, and politicians to embrace their responsibilities. As Abdullah Öcalan described, she stands as an example of unwavering commitment to her people and as a model of courage and sacrifice. What Zilan did remains a symbol of loyalty to the Kurdish cause. Öcalan further described her as the embodiment of the manifesto for women’s freedom in the twenty-first century: “Comrade Zilan is my leader, and I am her fighter.”
Our leader Abdullah Öcalan also recognized her deep patriotism and socialist vision, describing her as a leading figure among the martyrs of the Kurdish liberation movement and as a model of the free woman fighter. Zilan’s courageous action on June 30, 1996, in Dersim marked a turning point for the movement. Her words still inspire resistance:

“I want to live a life of deep meaning and take great action.”

Through her struggle Zilan gave a new meaning to life, proving her existence and discovering her identity. She fulfilled her duty to the cause by helping build a free, democratic, ethical, and ecological society. The path opened by Zeyneb Kınacı’s sacrifice represents a rebirth for the Kurdish liberation movement and a new horizon for the women’s army. She broke the chains imposed on her and inspired others to pursue peace and freedom, becoming a symbol of resistance against oppression. Today, we honor the legacy of the struggle for women’s liberation—a symbol of the torch of peace.”

The statement concludes, “The legacy of martyr Zilan is a testament to the meaning of a free life. On behalf of Kongra Star, we renew our commitment to martyr Zilan and Abdullah Öcalan: we will continue the struggle until we achieve the goals of the martyrs—freedom, democracy, and true peace—based on the principles and ideology of the Manifesto for Peace and a Democratic Society.”