"Call for Peace and Democratic Society - The statement of the leader of PKK- Apo

The PKK was born on the grounds of the 20th century, which was the most intense century of violence in history, two world wars, real-socialism, the cold war environments experienced worldwide, the denial of the Kurdish reality, and the bans on freedoms, especially freedom of expression.

It has been heavily influenced by the reality of the real-socialist system of the century in terms of theory, program, strategy and tactics. The collapse of real-socialism due to internal reasons in the 1990s and the dissolution of the denial of identity in the country, the developments in freedom of expression have led to the PKK's lack of  meaning and excessive repetition. Therefore, PKK has completed its life like its counterparts and made its dissolution necessary.

Kurdish-Turkish relations throughout the history, exceeding 1000 years; Turks and Kurds have always considered it necessary to remain in an alliance, with a predominantly voluntary aspect, in order to maintain their existence and to survive against hegemonic powers.

The last 200 years of capitalist modernity have essentially aimed at breaking up this alliance. The affected powers, together with their class foundations, have considered this as their essential service. This process has accelerated with the uniform interpretations of the Republic. The main task is to reorganize the historical relationship, which has become very fragile today, in a spirit of brotherhood without ignoring beliefs.

The need for a democratic society is inevitable. The PKK, which is the longest and most comprehensive rebellion and violent movement in the history of the Republic, has gained power and support due to the fact that democratic political channels have been closed.

Separate nation-states, federations, administrative autonomy and culturalist solutions, which are the inevitable results of the extreme nationalist drift, cannot be the answer to the sociology of historical society.

Respect for identities, their free expression and democratic organization, and the socio-economic and political structures that each segment bases itself on are only possible with the existence of a democratic society and political sphere.

The second century of the Republic will only have a permanent and fraternal continuity when it is crowned with democracy. There is no other path to democracy for system search and realization of it. There cannot be. Democratic consensus is the fundamental method.

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

In this climate created by the call made by Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the will displayed by Mr. President and the positive approaches of other political parties towards the known call, I call for laying down arms and I assume the historical responsibility of this call.

As every contemporary society and party whose existence has not been terminated by force would do voluntarily, gather your congress and make a decision for integration with the state and society; all groups should lay down their arms and the PKK should dissolve itself.

I send my greetings to all segments that believe in common life and heed my call.

February 25, 2025 Abdullah Öcalan