The historic call from imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has just been publicly read out in Turkish by Pervin Buldan and in Kurdish by veteran Kurdish leader Ahmet Türk. In his statement, Öcalan called for the dissolution of the PKK and an end to armed struggle, urging a new phase of democratic reconciliation between Kurds and the Turkish state.
The reading was preceded by a speech from Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the ongoing process and provided an overview of today’s crucial meeting. The event, held in Istanbul’s Elite World Hotel, was attended by a large audience, including MPs, mayors, over 250 journalists, and 120 press agencies.
In his statement, Öcalan reflected on the PKK’s historical trajectory, stating that it had fulfilled its mission and must now dissolve itself voluntarily to allow for a new political framework. He acknowledged that the PKK emerged in response to oppression and the denial of Kurdish identity but emphasised that the current circumstances require a transition to democratic politics rather than armed struggle.
Öcalan also called for a congress to be convened, where the PKK’s leadership should formally announce its dissolution and initiate a process of political integration. He underscored the importance of democracy as the only legitimate framework for the resolution of the Kurdish issue, stating:
“There is no path outside of democracy for system-building and implementation. There cannot be. Democratic reconciliation is the fundamental method.”
The announcement has already garnered significant political and public attention. Nearly all Kurdish MPs and mayors were present in the hall, while thousands gathered in Diyarbakır (Amed), Van (Wan), and Mersin, where the speech was broadcast live on large screens.
The call comes amid an atmosphere shaped by recent political discussions, including remarks by Devlet Bahçeli, the expressed will of President Erdoğan, and positive responses from other political parties. In this context, Öcalan assumed historic responsibility for ensuring that peace prevails and that democracy becomes the guiding principle for the future.
As the event concluded, applause and emotional reactions filled the hall, with many seeing this as a turning point in Kurdish-Turkish relations.
Full Translation of Abdullah Öcalan’s Statement:
Call for Peace and a Democratic Society
The PKK was born in the 20th century—the most intense century of violence in history—amidst the conditions created by two world wars, the Cold War, the suppression of freedoms, and above all, the denial of Kurdish identity.
In terms of theory, programme, strategy, and tactics, it was profoundly influenced by the reality of the century’s real-socialist system. However, the collapse of real socialism in the 1990s due to internal reasons, along with the dissolution of denial of identity policies in the country and advancements in freedom of expression, led the PKK into a state of meaninglessness and excessive repetition. Consequently, like similar movements, it has completed its lifespan, making its dissolution necessary.
Throughout a history spanning over 1,000 years, Turks and Kurds have maintained an alliance—largely based on voluntary cooperation—to preserve their co-existence and withstand hegemonic powers.
The last 200 years of capitalist modernity have aimed to dismantle this alliance. The affected forces, aligned with class interests, have primarily served this goal. This process accelerated with the Republic’s assimilationist interpretations. Today, our essential duty is to reorganise this fragile historical relationship in a spirit of fraternity, without disregarding faiths.
The emergence and widespread support of the PKK—the longest and most comprehensive uprising and armed movement in the history of the Republic—stemmed from the closure of democratic political channels.
The inevitable result of an ultra-nationalist trajectory—such as demands for a separate nation-state, federalism, administrative autonomy, or culturalist solutions—fails to provide an answer to historical social sociology.
Respect for identities, the right to free expression, and the ability to organise democratically—allowing every segment of society to shape its own socio-economic and political structures—can only be realised through the existence of a democratic society and political space.
The second century of the (Turkish) Republic can only attain lasting and fraternal continuity if it is crowned with democracy. There is no path outside of democracy for system-building and implementation. There cannot be another way. Democratic reconciliation is the fundamental method.
The language of this era of peace and democratic society must also be developed in accordance with reality.
In light of the current atmosphere shaped by the call made by Mr Devlet Bahçeli, the will expressed by Mr President, and the positive approaches of other political parties towards this call, I am making a call for disarmament and assuming its historic responsibility.
Just as every contemporary organisation and party whose existence has not been forcibly ended would voluntarily do, gather your congress and take the decision to integrate with the state and society: all groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.
I extend my greetings to all segments of society who believe in coexistence and heed my call.
25 February 2025
Abdullah Öcalan
