The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) sent a message to the internationalist women struggling in Rojava on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the international conspiracy that led to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s abduction from Kenya and handover to Turkey on 15 February 1999.
The RAWA's message includes the following:
"To Dear Internationalist Women Comrades in Rojava,
We, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, advocate united struggle and solidarity for the release of Abdullah Öcalan and all political prisoners.
For more than half a century, Afghan women have been living under the heavy burden of imperialism and oppressive fundamentalist regimes. Recently, the Taliban regime has further oppressed women and ignored everything related to them. It has usurped women's rights and dignity, confined them to their homes and imposed compulsory head covering, arresting those who do not comply.
Despite all, Afghan women, like their fellows around the world, resist imprisonment, violence and threats.
The bond between the Kurdish and Afghan peoples is not formed by common suffering. The bond between us is determined by common resistance and determination. We take courage from our Kurdish sisters who fight shoulder to shoulder with their male comrades.
Mr. Öcalan's leadership has shown that women have the power to change themselves and society.
To honor our imprisoned comrades and in memory of the fallen heroes, we must continue our work until freedom and justice prevail in our land. As imperialism and religious extremism join forces against us, we must stand together as revolutionaries and fighters against occupation, misogyny and injustice.
Let us build a future free of prison and torture in solidarity!"