Imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan calls for disbandment in historic statement

ISTANBUL — Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK), has made a groundbreaking appeal for the militant organization to lay down its arms and disband. The message, delivered through a political and legal delegation on Thursday, could signal a turning point in the decades-long conflict between the PKK and Turkey, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s.

In a one-and-a-half-page statement, Öcalan acknowledged the necessity of the armed struggle in the past due to policies that suppressed Kurdish identity and limited their rights. However, he emphasized that changing circumstances in Turkey and the region now render such resistance obsolete. “With the democratic steps taken by the Turkish government since 2014, armed resistance no longer holds any meaning,” Öcalan declared. “Therefore, the PKK should be dissolved.”

Implications for Peace and Regional Stability

If implemented, Öcalan’s call could mark a significant step toward ending one of the region’s most protracted and bloody conflicts. The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has waged an armed insurgency since 1984, targeting both state forces and civilians.

Negotiations between Öcalan and Turkish officials began last year and were publicly acknowledged by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP) and an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In October, Bahçeli invited Öcalan to address parliament to formally call for the PKK’s disbandment, a move that could potentially open the door for Öcalan’s release under the “right to hope” principle. This principle, which limits life sentences to a maximum of 25 years, has been central to discussions about Öcalan’s future.

PKK leaders have indicated their readiness to heed Öcalan’s call, signaling a willingness to consider disbanding the group. However, previous peace initiatives have faltered due to mutual distrust and lack of implementation.

Below is an English translation of Öcalan’s full statement:

Call for Peace and a Democratic Society

The PKK was born in the 20th century, the most violent century in history, shaped by two world wars, the realities of real socialism, the global Cold War atmosphere, and the denial of Kurdish identity—particularly the suppression of freedoms through prohibitions.

In terms of theory, program, strategy, and tactics, it was heavily influenced by the realities of the real-socialist system of the century. However, with the collapse of real socialism in the 1990s due to internal reasons and the erosion of identity denial in the country — along with advancements in freedom of expression—the PKK found itself in a state of meaninglessness and excessive repetition. As a result, like similar movements, it has reached the end of its course, making its dissolution necessary.

Kurdish-Turkish Relations

For over a thousand years, Turks and Kurds have considered it essential to remain in alliance, primarily out of a strong sense of voluntary unity, to sustain their existence and resist hegemonic forces.

However, capitalist modernity, especially over the last 200 years, has aimed to dismantle this alliance. Influenced by class dynamics, certain groups have served this goal. This process accelerated with the rigid interpretations of the republic. Today, it is an essential duty to reorganize this fragile historical relationship in the spirit of brotherhood, without disregarding beliefs.

The Necessity of a Democratic Society

The PKK, the longest and most extensive rebellion and violence movement in the history of the republic, gained strength and support primarily due to the closure of democratic political channels.

The inevitable result of extreme nationalist deviations — such as the pursuit of a separate nation-state, federalism, administrative autonomy, and culturalist solutions — fails to address the sociological reality of historical society.

Respect for identities, the ability to express oneself freely, and democratic organization—as well as socio-economic and political structuring based on these principles—can only be achieved through the existence of a democratic society and a democratic political space.

The second century of the republic can only achieve lasting and fraternal continuity if it is crowned with democracy. There is no path outside of democracy for system-building and implementation — nor can there be. Democratic consensus is the fundamental method.

The language of the era of peace and a democratic society must also be developed in accordance with reality.

In this climate — shaped by the call of Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the determination demonstrated by Mr. President, and the positive responses of other political parties — I make a call for disarmament and take on the historical responsibility of this call.

Like any modern society or political movement that has not been forcibly dissolved, you must convene your congress and make a decision to integrate with the state and society voluntarily. All groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.

I extend my greetings to all who believe in coexistence and heed my call.

— Abdullah Öcalan