European Syriac Union Backs Öcalan’s Call to End Armed Struggle, Urges Peace and Reconciliation

BRUSSELS / BETH NAHRIN — The European Syriac Union (ESU) has voiced its support for Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) to abandon armed struggle. The ESU emphasized that the decades-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state has caused immense suffering not only for the Kurdish and Turkish peoples but also for Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities.

Devastating Toll on Indigenous Communities

In its statement, the ESU highlighted the profound consequences of the prolonged conflict, noting that it has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands from their ancestral villages. The statement stressed that the impact of the war has extended far beyond its principal actors, affecting all ethnic and religious communities in the region.

The Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) populations, in particular, have faced devastating losses, with widespread forced displacement from their historical homelands. The ESU noted that 85% of these communities have been compelled to migrate to Europe, where they continue to struggle to preserve their cultural identity.

Importance of Öcalan’s Peace Initiative

The ESU underscored the significance of Öcalan’s call for peace, describing it as a vital step toward stability and reconciliation. It expressed hope for an end to bloodshed and the establishment of a society where all communities can coexist peacefully.

The statement also emphasized the importance of creating an environment where all groups can freely express their identity, language, and culture. The ESU urged all parties involved in the conflict to act with wisdom, learn from past suffering, and work together to build a future rooted in justice, equality, and freedom.

Pledge to Support Lasting Peace

Reaffirming its dedication to the peace process, the ESU declared its readiness to contribute in any way necessary to ensure a lasting resolution to the conflict.

Separately, Joseph Sliwa, President of the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo Beth Nahrain Athroyo, HBA), praised Öcalan’s message, describing him as a “first-class revolutionary” with intellectual and humanitarian vision. Sliwa also expressed his hope for Öcalan’s freedom, acknowledging his critical role in fostering reconciliation and shaping a new era of peace.