Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdish freedom movement PKK, which was founded nearly 50 years ago with the aim of establishing an “Independent Kurdish State,” has called on the current leadership of the PKK to lay down their arms and convene a congress to dissolve the organisation.
Öcalan’s appeal was made public through a press conference held by the DEM Party delegation, which engages in politics within the Kurdish community, following their meeting with him.
In Turkey, attacks on democratic forces have intensified like never before, and these attacks are still ongoing. People who have even the slightest dialogue with the Kurdish movement continue to be detained.
Trustees are being appointed to replace DEM Party mayors, and elected mayors are being arrested. For example, Mardin Mayor Ahmet Türk, who was accused of “membership in a terrorist organisation,” was removed from office and replaced by a trustee. Ahmet Türk was also part of the delegation that met with Öcalan.
The developments in Syria have also been a topic of discussion. It is not expected that the Kurds in Syria will comply with Öcalan’s call. The Erdoğan government is known to target Syrian Kurds and attempt to eliminate their presence there. However, the United States does not permit Turkey to conduct military operations in Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria.
Abdullah Öcalan’s Message:
“The PKK was born in the 20th century, one of the most violent centuries in history, shaped by two world wars, the Cold War, the denial of Kurdish identity, and bans on freedoms, particularly freedom of expression.
As a movement, its theory, programme, strategy, and tactics were heavily influenced by the realities of the real-socialist system of the century. In the 1990s, the collapse of real socialism due to internal reasons, the weakening of identity denial in Turkey, and improvements in freedom of expression led to a loss of meaning for the PKK and excessive repetition of its discourse. Therefore, like similar movements, it has reached the end of its lifespan and must be dissolved.
Kurdish-Turkish relations have a history spanning over a thousand years, during which Turks and Kurds have voluntarily maintained alliances to survive and resist hegemonic powers.
For the past 200 years, capitalist modernity has sought to break this alliance. The affected forces, alongside their class interests, have served this goal. The homogenising interpretations of the Republic accelerated this process. Today, the historical relationship, which has become extremely fragile, must be restructured with a spirit of brotherhood, taking into account faith and cultural factors.
A democratic society is essential. The PKK, which represents the longest and most extensive insurgency and armed movement in the history of the Republic, gained strength due to the closure of democratic political channels.
Solutions based on extreme nationalism, such as separate nation-states, federations, administrative autonomy, and culturalist approaches, do not address the realities of historical social sociology.
Respect for identities, the ability to express themselves freely, and democratic organisation are only possible if a democratic society and political space exist.
The second century of the Republic can only achieve lasting and fraternal continuity if it is crowned with democracy. There is no path to system-building and progress other than democracy. Democratic reconciliation is the fundamental method.
The language of the era of peace and democratic society must be developed in accordance with reality.
In the climate created by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s call, the determination of President Erdoğan, and the positive approaches of other political parties towards this call, I am taking responsibility for making a historic appeal for disarmament.
Like every modern community and party that is not forcibly terminated, you should convene your congress, integrate with the state and society, and decide: all groups should lay down their arms, and the PKK should dissolve itself.
I send my greetings to all those who believe in coexistence and heed my call.”
Öcalan’s Note: “Recognition of Democratic Politics and Legal Dimensions Is Required”
Sırrı Süreyya Önder also shared a note from Abdullah Öcalan, written at the end of their four-hour meeting. The note stated:
“While presenting this perspective, the abandonment of arms and the dissolution of the PKK necessarily require the recognition of democratic politics and its legal dimensions.”
What Happened?
The discussions surrounding this process began when Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Turkish nationalist MHP, shook hands with the DEM Party group during the parliamentary opening on 1 October. The debate intensified after Bahçeli said in a speech on 22 October:
“If his isolation is lifted, let Öcalan come and speak at the DEM Party group meeting in Parliament. Let him declare that terrorism is completely over and that the organisation is dissolved. If he demonstrates this determination and resolve, then the legal framework for exercising the ‘right to hope’ should be established, and he should be given the opportunity to benefit from it.”
At the end of October, Ahmet Özer, who was elected as the Mayor of Esenyurt from the CHP through a “city consensus” approach, was arrested, and a trustee was appointed in his place. The appointment of trustees and “city consensus” operations continued thereafter.
As part of investigations into the HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress), 30 people, including politicians, journalists, and artists, were arrested.
Following the 31 March elections, trustees were appointed to municipalities in Hakkari, Esenyurt, Mardin, Batman, Halfeti, Dersim, Ovacık, Bahçesaray, Akdeniz, Siirt, Van, and Kağızman. Additionally, Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat was arrested on charges of “membership in a criminal organisation,” “rigging public tenders,” and “unjust enrichment,” but Ömer Rasim Şişman, a member of the municipal council, was elected as his replacement.
