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Ocalan calls on the Pkk to lay down its arms and disband: historic appeal from prison
Pkk founder Abdullah Ocalan has issued a historic appeal calling for an end to armed activities and the dissolution of the Kurdish group, proposing a democratic and peaceful society
Abdullah Ocalan, founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), urged Kurdish militants to lay down their arms and disband. His message, read in Istanbul by a delegation of pro-Kurdish parliamentarians, represents a historic turning point in the Pkk’s struggle. Ocalan, who has been detained since 1999 on the island of Imrali, said: ‘All armed groups must lay down their arms and the Pkk must disband’. The announcement was greeted with hope by those who see in his statement a chance for peace after decades of conflict.
An appeal for peace and democracy
In the document entitled ‘An Appeal for Peace and Democratic Society’, Ocalan stated that he takes historical responsibility for this call for disarmament. He explained that the Pkk, founded in 1978, was born in a context of denial of Kurdish reality and restrictions on fundamental rights, but now the time has come to seek a political solution through democratic dialogue. ‘The need for a democratic society is inevitable,’ he added, emphasising that the Pkk was a response to the closure of democratic channels.
istorical relations between Kurds and Turks
Ocalan also pointed out that, throughout history, Turks and Kurds have maintained a mutually supportive cooperation and alliance. The Kurdish leader called for a new social pact based on democracy, stating that ‘fraternal continuity can only be achieved with democracy’. He called on both sides to develop a language of peace and coexistence, necessary to build a democratic society that respects identities and freedom of expression.
The future of the PKK and the path to democracy
Ocalan acknowledged that the dissolution of real socialism in the 1990s, along with advances in freedom of expression, led to a downsizing of the role of the Pkk. His final message was clear: ‘All groups must lay down their arms and the Pkk must disband’. He concluded his appeal with a greeting to all those who believe in peaceful coexistence, expressing the hope that his message will pave the way for a new era of peace and democracy in Turkey and the Kurdish region.
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