PJAK invited again to Iran Freedom Congress in London

LONDON,— A dispute ahead of the Iran Freedom Congress in London has been partly settled after organizers restored an invitation to the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), ANF news agency reported.

The congress, organized by the UK based Iran Freedom Congress, is scheduled for March 28 to 29.

PJAK said Sunday that it had first been invited, then removed from the program without explanation. The group described the move as inconsistent with democratic standards.

In a statement, PJAK’s Foreign Relations Committee said it had welcomed the original invitation but later saw its name and delegation excluded. The statement added that the decision led to reactions from pro democracy groups and individuals who voiced support for PJAK.

Following talks with members of the congress coordination council, PJAK said the issue was reviewed and a new agreement was reached.

The group confirmed it has now received a renewed invitation. Its main representative is expected to attend and speak during the congress session.

The statement also said that disagreements among Kurdish political forces should be addressed through dialogue and alliances.

The Iran Freedom Congress, founded in March and based in the United Kingdom, announced plans to hold two sessions in London focused on Iran’s political future and opposition movements.

PJAK, part of the Alliance of Iranian Kurdistan Political Parties, had been among the invited groups before being told not to attend about 24 hours before the event. PJAK previously called that decision a covert intervention.

With the renewed invitation, PJAK confirmed its participation in the gathering.

Formed in 2004, the PJAK, known as Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistane, has engaged in armed operations to push for semi autonomous Kurdish areas or a federal Kurdish structure in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat).

The organization has over 3,000 armed members, and roughly half of them are women.

PJAK is considered one of the most active armed Kurdish groups in Iranian Kurdistan. It is also part of the Kurdistan Democratic Confederation, known as KCK, an umbrella group that include Kurdistan Workers Party militants.

(With files from ANF, Firat News Agency)