Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council Co-Chair Cemil Bayık has said that imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has sole authority to convene a Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) congress and determine its direction. Speaking to ANF in a rare Turkish language interview, Bayık built on his earlier remarks concerning Öcalan’s role in peace negotiations and opposition to Turkish military policies and isolation.
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“No one other than Leader Apo [Öcalan] can convene the Congress or make those decisions. Everyone needs to know this,” Bayık said, emphasising Öcalan’s central role in the movement. He rejected efforts to sideline the Kurdish leader, arguing that any political resolution must involve him. “A movement built with his philosophy and guidance cannot function without him. Any decision made without his involvement is an illusion.”
Bayık condemned recent Turkish military operations in Kurdish regions, arguing that they undermine peace efforts. “The military operations intensify even as Leader Apo calls for peace and negotiations. If there is to be a real political process, these operations must cease immediately.” He accused the government of exploiting nationalist sentiments to maintain power.
“There cannot be peace when one side continues its policies of aggression. Turkey must make a choice: Does it want a political solution or permanent conflict?”
Bayık urged unity among the Kurds and their allies, warning against divisive tactics. “They want to weaken the struggle by creating internal conflict. We must not fall into these traps. The unity of the Kurdish people and their allies is key to achieving a just and lasting peace.” He also criticised economic policies that marginalise Kurdish communities, arguing they are used to suppress resistance.
Discussing the transformation of the PKK, Bayık noted that under Öcalan’s leadership, it has shifted towards self-governance and decentralised democracy. “The PKK is no longer the same organisation as it was in the 1980s or 1990s. Under Leader Apo’s guidance, it has adapted its approach, focusing on building a democratic system rather than seeking statehood.”
“The change is not about our paradigm. It is about how we organise and how we conduct our struggle…The world is changing, and the Kurdish movement has adapted to these changes. Our fight is no longer about a nation-state but about a free society based on equality and justice. This is why the ideas of Leader Apo are so important, not just for Kurds but for all peoples who seek freedom.”
Bayık reaffirmed the need for a democratic and pluralistic Middle East. “The current system, dominated by authoritarian regimes and sectarian divisions, is unsustainable. The solution lies in a democratic Middle East where all peoples coexist on the basis of equality and freedom.” He stressed that the Kurdish struggle is part of a broader democratic transformation.
“The Kurdish question, the democratisation of Turkey, and the democratisation of the Middle East are not concerns of Leader Apo alone, nor just of the Kurdish freedom movement or the Kurds. These are issues that affect everyone. Those who want peace, stability and democracy in this region must act accordingly.”
Highlighting Öcalan’s focus on women’s liberation, Bayık stated, “Leader Apo has always said that without women’s liberation, society cannot be free. This is a fundamental principle of our movement.” He called on progressive forces to support women’s rights as central to the broader fight for freedom.
“Women’s participation in politics, self-defence and all aspects of life is not just an addition to our movement; it is its core.”
Bayık concluded by calling on international institutions, civil society organisations and democratic forces to redouble efforts to secure Öcalan’s release and ensure a just resolution to the Kurdish issue.
