Abdullah Öcalan's Call to the PKK to Lay Down Arms and Disband

On 27 February 2025, a statement was issued by Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, who is detained at İmralı Prison. Öcalan stated that all armed groups must lay down their arms and that the PKK must dissolve itself. Following this appeal, the terrorist organization PKK announced on 1 March 2025 that it would implement the call effective from that date.

Appeal Text by PKK Leader Öcalan

"Call for Peace and Democratic Society;

The PKK emerged in the context of the 20th century, the most intensely violent century in history, marked by two world wars, the reality of real-socialism, the global Cold War, the denial of the Kurdish reality, and restrictions on freedoms, particularly freedom of expression.

Its theory, program, strategy, and tactics were heavily influenced by the reality of the real-socialist system of the century. The collapse of real-socialism in the 1990s due to internal causes, the resolution of identity denial in the country, and advances in freedom of expression led the PKK into meaninglessness and excessive repetition. Thus, it has completed its lifespan like similar organizations and its dissolution has become necessary.

Kurdish-Turkish relations: For over a thousand years, Turks and Kurds have been compelled to remain united in an alliance, primarily driven by voluntary solidarity, in order to sustain their existence and resist hegemonic powers.

The last 200 years of capitalist modernity have aimed to dismantle this alliance. Influential forces, along with their class foundations, have served this objective. This process accelerated under the uniform interpretations of the Republic. The primary task today is to reorganize the historically fragile relationship with a spirit of brotherhood, without disregarding mutual beliefs.

The need for a democratic society is unavoidable. The PKK, the longest and most extensive rebellion and violent movement in the history of the Republic, gained strength and support due to the closure of democratic political channels.

The necessary outcomes of extreme nationalist deviations—separate nation-states, federation, administrative autonomy, and culturalist solutions—fail to respond to the historical sociology of society.

Respect for identities, the freedom to express oneself, and democratic organization are only possible within the existence of a democratic society and political sphere.

The second century of the Republic can only achieve lasting and fraternal continuity when crowned by democracy. There is no alternative path to system exploration and implementation. Democratic consensus is the fundamental method.

The language of the peace and democratic society era must also be developed in accordance with reality. In this climate, shaped by the appeal of Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the will expressed by the President of the Republic, and the positive approaches of other political parties toward this appeal, I am making this call to lay down arms and assuming its historical responsibility.

As every contemporary society and party that has not been forcibly dissolved has done voluntarily, convene your congress and make a decision: all groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself. I extend my greetings to all segments who believe in coexistence and heed this call.

25 February 2025 Abdullah Öcalan"