It is now time for the Turkish government to comply with the demands of the Kurdish Freedom Movement and take the necessary legal and political steps to make this a reciprocal, two-sided process.
Following today’s announcement, the Kurdish National Congress (KNK) once again welcomes the courageous and determined steps taken by the Kurdish freedom movement towards a just peace in Turkey.
In response to the call for Peace and a Democratic Society made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, on February 27, the Kurdish side has been determined to take concrete steps to bring about a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question. Following this call, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire on March 1, and subsequently convened its 12th Congress in May and announced the party’s decision to dissolve itself and end its armed struggle. To reaffirm its decisions regarding Peace and a Democratic Society, 30 Kurdish freedom fighters, led by Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) co-chair Besê Hozat, burned their weapons in a public ceremony on July 11.
This morning, another step was taken. In the mountains of southern Kurdistan (Kurdistan Region of Iraq), the Kurdish Freedom Movement announced that they are withdrawing all fighters from Turkey, according to the decision of the PKK’s 12th Congress, to advance the Peace and Democratic Society process.
The announcement was made by KCK Executive Council Member Sabri Ok along with 25 freedom guerrillas, including the Free Women’s Units (YJA Star) Serhat Province Command Member Vejîn Dersîm, and People’s Defence Forces (HPG) Command Council Member Devrîm Palu, who had come from Bakurê (northern) Kurdistan to the Medya Defence Zones in southern Kurdistan. The KCK called for specific legal and political approaches should be taken by the Turkish state immediately along with the release of the Abdullah Öcalan.
It is now time for the Turkish government to comply with these demands and take concrete steps to make this a two-sided, reciprocal process. The historic transition process can be arranged within a specific framework, and it requires that Abdullah Öcalan, the architect of this process, be allowed to live and work freely as the chief negotiator for the Kurdish side.
We therefore call on the European Union, the Council of Europe, and all states playing a role in the Middle East to urge the Turkish government to find a political solution to the Kurdish question. The Kurdish side’s concessions are clear evidence of its determination, persistence, and conviction to find a peaceful solution and bring about a better life for all the peoples of Turkey and the region.
Recognition and appreciation of the historic steps taken by the Kurdish side are necessary. The EU Commission, EU member states, and the US should use all means at their disposal to encourage Turkey to participate honestly in this process, and they should immediately remove the PKK from their lists of terrorist organisations.
Executive Council of the Kurdistan National Congress
26.10.2025
