The Kurdistan Communities Congress (KCK) Executive Council Co-Chairship, on Tuesday, to mark the new year described 2025 as pivotal for addressing the Kurdish question, achieving regional democracy, and fostering global peace. In its annual statement, the council emphasised that the reflections of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), shared during a rare meeting on 28 December at İmralı prison, would serve as a “manifesto-level guide” for the coming year.
The statement criticised Turkey’s policies in 2024, accusing the state of escalating the “Third World War conditions” through widespread rights violations, including the use of chemical weapons against Kurdish guerrillas and severe restrictions on political freedoms. The council condemned the isolation of Öcalan, describing it as part of broader efforts to crush the Kurdish freedom movement. The statement also highlighted the displacement of over 100,000 people in northern and eastern Syria due to actions by Turkish-backed paramilitary groups, which it described as “genocidal”.
According to the KCK, the past year has been marked by deepening poverty, unemployment, and deteriorating living conditions worldwide. These conditions, the council argued, have disproportionately affected Kurdish communities under Turkish rule, with emergency laws and state violence exacerbating their struggles. It accused the Turkish state of targeting women with systemic oppression, including violence and arbitrary detention, and labelled the appointment of government trustees to Kurdish municipalities as a “colonial attack” on Kurdish identity and autonomy.
In the statement, the KCK praised the resilience of Kurdish guerrillas and grassroots movements, framing their resistance as a key factor in derailing Turkish government strategies. It highlighted the role of women-led movements, particularly under the slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ (Women, Life, Freedom), in countering oppressive policies. The council also commemorated fallen fighters, expressing a commitment to honour their memory by intensifying the struggle.
Abdullah Öcalan’s recent meeting with a delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party at İmralı prison was described as a milestone, with the council stating that his insights provided a framework for resolving regional conflicts. It claimed that Öcalan’s vision offered solutions not only to the Kurdish question but also to the democratisation of Turkey and peacebuilding across the Middle East. The council characterised his manifesto as a beacon of hope in a time of darkness.
The statement concluded with a call for unity and action in 2024, urging Kurdish people and their allies worldwide to work together to achieve peace, democracy, and Öcalan’s release. “The views shared by leader Öcalan during the historic İmralı meeting illuminate a path towards resolving the Kurdish question, democratising Turkey, and achieving global peace,” the council stated. “We call upon our people, friends, and all political and civil society groups supporting democracy to unite in struggle.”
The KCK leadership expressed optimism that 2024 could bring stability and justice, emphasising that Öcalan’s vision would guide their efforts. They reiterated their belief in the possibility of creating a peaceful, democratic future and extended New Year greetings to all who continue to fight for freedom and equality.
