The TISHK Center for Kurdistan Studies in Germany is pleased to announce the release of the book "In Tribute to Dr. A. R. Ghassemlou". This significant work, compiled by Mouloud Swara, will be published on July 13, 2024, at precisely 7:00 PM (Vienna time), marking the 35th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou. At this moment, the PDF version of the book will be made available on our website and the social media networks associated with the TISHK center.

Background

Dr. A. R. Ghassemlou was a prominent figure and political leader of the liberation movement in East Kurdistan (Kurdistan-Iran). He was assassinated on July 13, 1989, in Vienna during peace negotiations by Iranian diplomats. This tragic event occurred exactly at 7:00 PM, a time now chosen for the book's release to honor his memory.

The book "In Tribute to Dr. A. R. Ghassemlou" celebrates the life and legacy of this remarkable man. Dr. Ghassemlou's dedication to peace, freedom, and justice made him a symbol of Kurdish resistance and hope. His assassination was later (10.04.1997) described as state terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the well-known "Mykonos Trial" at the Berlin High Court.

With the release of this book, we aim not only to honor Dr. Ghassemlou's life and work but also to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles and aspirations of the East Kurdistan and the Kurdish people.

For more information and to download the book, please visit our website and follow us on our social media networks.

Book

In Tribute to Dr. A. R. Ghassemlou

Published by TISHK Center for Kurdistan Studies: 13 July 2024

DOI 10.69939/TISHK1559

Swara, Mouloud (comp.) 2024. “In Tribute to Dr. A. R. Ghassemlou” TISHK Center for Kurdistan Studies.  https://doi.org/10.69939/TISHK1559

Abstract

This volume commemorates the 35th anniversary of Dr. A. R. Ghassemlou's assassination, a prominent Kurdish leader and Secretary-General of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI). Ghassemlou, educated in Paris and Prague, transformed the PDKI into a mass movement following the 1979 Iranian revolution. He led Kurdish resistance against the Islamic Republic's military occupation until 1989. Despite pursuing negotiations for Kurdish autonomy, Dr. Ghassemlou was assassinated in Vienna in 1989 by Iranian diplomats. Known for his hopeful realism, Dr. Ghassemlou's legacy continues to influence Kurdish politics. This collection of essays by both Kurdish and international dignitaries aims to introduce an international audience to Ghassemlou's political ideas and enduring impact on the Kurdish struggle for liberation and democracy.