Video message from Abdullah Öcalan: The stage reached necessitates moving into practice with new steps

A video message from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan has been released. His statement, along with other inmates at İmralı Prison, was captured on video and shared with the press.

Before the " weapons laying down ceremony" expected to begin tomorrow, the organization's leader, Abdullah Öcalan, addressed both the PKK and the public.

Öcalan stated that the progress made was very valuable and emphasized that "the steps that need to be taken are also of a historic nature."

Öcalan, stating that the existence of the Kurdish people has been recognized, as in his call on February 27, and therefore the armed struggle has become obsolete, touched upon the role of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and specifically the commission planned to be established within the Assembly, in the disarmament process, saying, "I know that the steps taken will not be in vain. I see the sincerity and I trust it. The Democratic People's Party (DEM), under the umbrella of the Assembly, will do its part, together with other parties, to ensure the success of this process."

Öcalan's call is as follows:

“Dear comrades

I consider it an ethical duty to you to provide explanatory and creative answers, even if repeatedly, through a comprehensive letter regarding the stage our communalist comradeship movement has reached, the concrete situation they are experiencing, the problems and the ways to solve them.

I continue to defend the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society dated February 27, 2025. I consider your positive and comprehensive response to this call, with its highly accurate content, at the PKK's 12th Dissolution Congress, a historic response.

The point reached must be considered highly valuable and historic. Meanwhile, the efforts of the comrades who have established bridge relationships are equally valuable and worthy of praise.

'DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY MANIFESTO'

Following all these developments, I have prepared a Democratic Society Manifesto that must be considered a historic transformation. This manifesto successfully replaces the nearly 50-year-old "Path of the Kurdistan Revolution" manifesto. I believe it carries a historical and social content not only for the Kurdish historical community but also for the regional and global community. I have no doubt that it constitutes a successful example of the historical manifesto tradition.

I must clearly state that all these developments occurred as a result of the meetings I held in İmralı. Utmost care was taken to ensure that the meetings were conducted on the basis of free will.

'IT IS NECESSARY TO PUT INTO PRACTICE WITH NEW STEPS'

The progress reached necessitates moving into practice with new steps. It is essential to emphasize the historic nature of this stage and the necessary steps, understand it, and adhere to its requirements for progress.

The PKK movement, based on its denial of existence and its pursuit of a separate state, and its underlying national liberation war strategy have been terminated. Its existence has been recognized, and therefore its primary objective has been achieved. This is what obsolescence means. Anything else has been dismissed as excessive repetition and a stalemate. Comprehensive criticism and self-criticism on this basis will continue.

Since politics abhors a vacuum, it must be filled with a program titled "Peace and Democratic Society," a strategy of "democratic politics," and holistic law as its fundamental tactic. We are talking about a historic and fateful process.

'I SEE AND TRUST SINCERITY'

The overall process of voluntary disarmament and the comprehensive commission envisioned to be established by law and authorized by the Turkish Grand National Assembly are crucial. Care and sensitivity are essential in taking these steps, without falling into the sterile logic of "you-first" or "me-first." I know the steps being taken will not be in vain. I see and trust the sincerity.

Therefore, we are working to move on to more practical and concrete steps to unlock the solution. The main theses I put forward are as follows:

'A POSITIVE INTEGRATIONALIST PERSPECTIVE'

Achieving the goal of Peace and a Democratic Society, with everyone doing their part, is possible through a positive integrationist perspective. The conclusion drawn from all this is that the PKK has abandoned its nation-state goal, and by abandoning this fundamental goal, it has also abandoned its fundamental war strategy, ending its existence. It is expected that this historical point will be further advanced.

It should be considered natural that you publicly ensure the disarmament of the relevant parties and the public in a way that makes sense for the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the commission, alleviates public suspicion, and fulfills our commitment. Establishing a disarmament mechanism will advance the process. This represents a voluntary transition from the phase of armed conflict to the phase of democratic politics and law. This should be considered a historic achievement, not a loss. The details of disarmament will be determined and implemented swiftly.

'DEM WILL DO ITS PART'

DEM, under the umbrella of the Parliament, will do its part, together with other parties, to ensure the success of this process.

Meanwhile, regarding my freedom, an indispensable condition in all decision texts, you know that I have never viewed my own freedom as an individual matter. Philosophically, individual freedom cannot be isolated from society. Society can be free to the extent that the individual becomes free, and the individual can be free to the extent that society becomes free. Of course, this tendency will be adhered to.

I believe in the power of politics and social peace, not weapons. And I urge you to put this principle into practice.

The developments in the region in recent days clearly confirm the importance and urgency of this historic step we have taken.

I must say that I eagerly await any criticisms, suggestions, and contributions you may have regarding the process. I am very optimistic and ready, eager, and enthusiastic that these discussions will lead us, the Forces of Democratic Modernity, to a new theoretical program, strategic, and tactical phase across the country, the region, and globally. I am already working on preparing for this.

Let us undertake the upcoming period in line with my call, the decisions of the congress, and the opinions and suggestions I have expressed in this article, and make progress based on success.

Stay with constant comradely greetings and love."

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The first group will lay down their arms tomorrow

The first group in the PKK's disarmament process, which began de facto with a statement made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli approximately nine months ago, is expected to lay down their weapons tomorrow. PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, imprisoned in İmralı Prison, called on the PKK to dissolve itself on February 27th, and the PKK announced that the disarmament congress had concluded and that it would lay down its arms between May 5th and 7th. A group of PKK members, expected to number between 20 and 30, is expected to lay down their weapons tomorrow.