DEM Party Hails PKK Congress as Historic Turning Point

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The People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) released a statement regarding the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) 12th Congress, hailing the event as a significant step toward peace and urging the Turkish parliament and political parties to fulfil their responsibilities.

The DEM Party highlighted the role of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in the peace process, stating that he “assumed historic responsibility in advancing this process,” and added: “We want peace to become a source of hope for the Middle East and an inspiration for the world.”

An official statement of the DEM Party on the PKK congress said:

"1-In step with the historic resolutions of the PKK Congress, we have moved closer to fulfilling a fifty-year struggle for peace. This marks a step forward in realising a long-standing vision—one rooted deeply in the centuries-old yearning for peace and democracy in our ancient homeland. It is a step toward spring, renewal, and justice.

2-We first honour those who have taught us through decades of pain and sacrifice that suffering knows no colour, language, or identity. Today, the tears of Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Alawites, Sunnis, and people of all beliefs and backgrounds have merged into one sea. We carry shared sorrows and shared hopes in our hearts. The memories of all those lost in this struggle are a sacred trust, which we will uphold as we build a common future.

3-Now is the time to prioritise our collective will to live together in equality and dignity. A democratic society requires free political expression, a commitment to universal legal principles, and a sustained movement toward democratisation. Let no young life be lost—neither in the mountains nor in the cities. Let the voice that rises in this country be that of democracy, coexistence, and equality—not denial, weapons, politics of anger, or division.

4-We open a new chapter through a dignified and democratic resolution. As the DEM Party, we firmly believe that all democratic institutions must now shoulder the responsibility of resolving the Kurdish issue and advancing genuine democracy in Türkiye. The call for democracy and justice must rise louder than ever. Building social peace is a sacred parliamentary duty—one that must rise above all forms of political hegemony. Our foremost obligation is to lay down the legal foundations to turn this historic opportunity into a lasting peace.

5-At this historic juncture, the Executive must rise to meet its constitutional responsibility. The success of this opportunity to build a democratic future in Türkiye will be the true guarantee of peace.

6-We express our deepest gratitude to all who have played a role in this process. We thank Mr. Abdullah Öcalan for his historic contribution, and we remember with respect all Turks who paid the price of peace with their lives, their children, and their tears. We extend our thanks to Mr. Devlet Bahçeli for his support of national healing, and to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for endorsing this shared determination. We also acknowledge opposition leaders, especially Mr. Özgür Özel, for approaching this process constructively.

To ensure success, every political institution, civil society organisation, and—most importantly—each of our 85 million citizens must commit to protecting this process, building peace, and securing a better future starting today. We hope Türkiye's peace becomes a source of hope for the Middle East and an inspiration for the world.

7-As the DEM Party, we make a solemn vow to the peoples of Mesopotamia and Anatolia: We will never shy away from confronting the truth or upholding justice. We will not permit any act that dishonours the memories of those we have lost, any word that harms the process, or any action that derails the path to peace. We pledge to remain unwavering defenders of equal citizenship, democratic politics, and lasting peace.

8-Today, we carry both the weight of great hope and the burden of historical responsibility. This is not the end—it is a new beginning. We issue this statement in remembrance of our beloved comrade, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who devoted his life to peace, fraternity, and the cause of the oppressed. His legacy will continue to guide us."

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced on Friday, 9 May 2025, that it has held its 12th  congress this week and made "historic" decisions after a call by its leader to disband itself.

According to the statement, the PKK’s 12th Congress convened upon the call of Leader Abdullah Ocalan. The congress, first of all, greeted Leader Apo (Ocalan's nickname) with longing and respect, and read and evaluated the perspectives and proposals presented by Leader Abdullah Ocalan to the congress. In addition, a brief report of the PKK Central Committee was read and discussed at the congress.

The PKK did not say whether it had decided to disband or disarm in the statement.

Furthermore, the statement said that the Congress called on everyone to work together to achieve the peace and a democratic society, noting that extensive and detailed information and documents regarding the outcomes and decisions of the 12th PKK Congress will be shared with the public very soon, after the results from the two different areas are combined.

The PKK's congress comes amid ongoing efforts to establish a peace process following more than 40 years of conflict with the Turkish state. 

After 10 years, the Turkish state allowed a delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) to visit the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in late December last year at the Imrali prison. The delegation known as the Imrali delegation has made several more visits since then.

Ocalan, who has been serving a life sentence since 1999 at the Imrali prison, issued a statement through the Imrali delegation on 27 February 2025 calling for a revival of peace efforts and for the PKK to disband itself. 

More than 40,000 people have been killed in the PKK conflict, which has seen intermittent peace efforts over the years, most notably a ceasefire between 2013 and 2015 that ultimately collapsed.

The Turkish state insists that PKK must lay down arms and disband itself in order to make the peace process a success. The PKK has yet to announce such move.

In his latest statement regarding the PKK, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, 8 May 2025, that PKK will lay down its weapons and disband “either today or tomorrow.”
 
“We have overcome all obstacles. Today or tomorrow, the PKK will lay down its weapons and dissolve the organisation. After that, a new process, a new era will begin for all of us,” Erdogan told his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) ministers and lawmakers at the party’s headquarters, as reported by Turkish outlet Haberturk. 



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