DİREN ENGÎZEK

 News Center- The stories of all women refusing the existing system, fighting, believing that another world is possible are similar. These women fought to exist against the patriarchal system. Some fought their enemies by taking up arms; some threw themselves from the cliffs not to be taken captive. Bêrîtan was one of these women.

She was one of the resisting women of Dersim. Her voice and scream became hope and courage for thousands of women. We remember Bêrîtan, or Gülnaz Karataş, with the words saying, “The one who fights becomes free, the one who becomes free becomes beautiful, and the one who is beautiful is loved.” Many girls have been named after her.

She became a source of inspiration

Bêrîtan Hêvi, the fighting spirit of the resisting women and Kurdish women, died on October 25, 1992. She is the symbol of standing against Kurdish betrayers. Her story tells that every woman is a fighter. Born in the Bongilan (Solhan) district of Çewlîg (Bingöl) province in 1971, Gülnaz Karataş (Nom de guerre: Bêrîtan Hevî) was originally from Dersim. In 1989, she began to study economy at Istanbul University. At university, she was known for her fight against injustice and as a book-lover. In 1989, she got involved in Kurdish Movement when she attended Newroz celebration. At that time, she became a source of inspiration for women with her resisting personality.

She became a guerilla after being released from prison

Bêrîtan was detained and subjected to torture in Istanbul. In 1991, she became a guerilla after being released from prison. “I remember how she put her belongings in her bag and walked from Aksaray to Bahçesaray. She did this to be ready for mountains. When she was very curious about something, she researched it and then accepted it. She always asked questions, discussed until she was convinced,” said one of her comrade.

She threw herself from the cliffs

The Turkish Armed Forces, in cooperation with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the US launched a cross-border operation into Southern Kurdistan between October and November 1992 against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Bêrîtan fought alone for a long time, giving time to her comrades to withdraw. On October 25, the KDP Peshmerga surrounded the hill, where Bêrîtan fought. The Peshmerga told her, “Surrender! You are a woman, we will not do anything to you.” The response of Bêrîtan to them was: “You are collaborators from Southern Kurdistan attacking the revolution of Northern Kurdistan. I will never surrender. Surrender is betrayal.” Then she kissed her weapon and broke it not to be taken by the enemy. She threw herself from the cliffs not to be taken captive by ululating.

Although 32 years have passed, the KDP continues its betrayal and collaborationist stance. The cooperation of the KDP and the Turkish state has continued for years. KDP and the Barzani family took advantage of the international conspiracy against Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and aimed to end the Kurdish Freedom Movement by strengthening their cooperation with the Turkish state.

The Barzani family and the Turkish state start a war against the Kurdish people

After each meeting between the Barzani family and the Turkish state, a new genocidal attack is carried out against the Kurdish people and women. Since October 5, 2023, 48 people, including two children, have been killed and many more have been injured in the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria. The Makhmour refugee camp has been also targeted by the Turkish state.

Women follow in the footsteps of Bêrîtan

Bêrîtan has become a symbol for all resisting women and Kurdish women. Today, there are thousands of women, who stand against betrayal and fight in Kurdistan mountains, like Bêrîtan. They follow in the footsteps of Bêrîtan to have a free life.