Murat Karayılan: It is now up to the Turkish state to quickly implement groundbreaking legislative changes and create appropriate legislative frameworks

QANDIL, Iraq — Murat Karayılan, a senior leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK), expressed hope that the Turkish government will enact significant legal reforms and establish appropriate legislative frameworks in response to the PKK’s recent decision to lay down its arms. Karayılan, 70, who commands the PKK’s military wing, People’s Defense Force (Hêzên Parastina Gel, HPG), emphasized that these changes are necessary to facilitate the transition to a political strategy and the dismantling of the PKK’s military operations.

The PKK has been engaged in armed conflict with Turkey for nearly 50 years, challenging the state’s historical policy of denying the existence of diverse ethnic groups and languages within its borders. Last week, following its 12th Congress, the PKK announced a cessation of military activities. In return, it called on the Turkish state to recognize the rights of all peoples within its borders, particularly the Kurdish population, and to implement democratic reforms that ensure equality and freedoms for all.

Call for Democratization

The decision to shift away from armed conflict follows an appeal from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who urged both the PKK and the Turkish government to pursue democratization. In alignment with this new strategy, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi, DEM Party) has initiated diplomatic discussions with political parties, state institutions, and Kurdish leaders to advance the democratization process through legislative means rather than armed struggle.

Former DEM Party MP Idris Baluken expressed the DEM Party’s anticipation of reciprocal action from the Turkish government, emphasizing the need for the state to fulfill its obligations by enacting democratic reforms.

Regional Support for Disarmament

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein welcomed the PKK’s decision to disband. He confirmed that PKK forces have begun withdrawing from areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Hussein expressed optimism about broad consensus among stakeholders and pledged Iraq’s continued coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the disarmament initiative.

The PKK’s decision marks a potential turning point in the long-standing conflict and presents an opportunity for peace, provided the Turkish government takes steps to address longstanding grievances and ensure equality for all its citizens.