From Rifle to Democracy: Inside PKK’s Transformative Congresses

The PKK has undergone several key transformations since its establishment in 1978, marked by a series of conferences that have significantly influenced its political, military, and ideological evolution. These conferences reflect the deep-rooted shifts in the party’s thought, structure, and strategy—from a revolutionary armed movement to a flexible political organization aiming to build a multi-dimensional democracy.

Each of these conferences represents a major turning point in the party's journey, each leaving its distinct mark on the political and resistance landscape of the Kurdish movement to this day.

This report presents the major milestones of these conferences, depicting them as a living record of strategic and ideological transformation.

Founding Conference – 1978

The founding conference of the PKK was held on November 26–27, 1978, in the village of Fîs, located in the Lice district of Amed. Out of 25 designated delegates, 22 attended, including two women, reflecting early female participation in the movement.

During the conference, the political program, internal bylaws, and the founding declaration—prepared by leader Abdullah Ocalan (APO)—were approved. The leader was appointed General Secretary of the party, with Mehmet Karasungur and Şahin Dönmez as his deputies.

A temporary Central Committee of three members was established, and the leader was authorized to expand the committee to seven members in accordance with party bylaws.

Second Conference – 1982: Beginning the Return to the Homeland

From August 20 to 25, 1982, the second PKK conference was held in one of the camps of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in southern Syria. It was attended by 65 delegates, including 10 women, and marked a major shift toward armed struggle and a return to Kurdistan.

The conference adopted strategic documents prepared by leader Abdullah Ocalan, elected a new Central Committee of 11 members, and is considered the start of the actual organized armed phase inside Kurdish territory.

Third Conference – 1986: Consolidating Ideological Direction and Forming the Army

The third conference was held from October 25 to 30, 1986, in Lebanon. It had a deep organizational and ideological character, introducing fundamental changes to the party’s structure and combat doctrine.

During this conference, the Kurdistan People’s Liberation Army (ARGK) was established, and the focus was placed on developing “leadership ideology” and organizing the working class, women, and youth. The Central Committee was expanded to 25 members, and this conference is seen as a pivotal point in strengthening the party’s commitment to women’s liberation and ideological depth.

Fourth Conference – 1990: Assessing Regional Transformations and the Tactic of Resistance

The PKK’s fourth conference was held from December 26 to 31, 1990, in the "Heftanin" area of Southern Kurdistan. It focused on assessing the period before and after the First Gulf War and included debates on the behavior of certain leaders, particularly Şemdin Sakık, who was held accountable through organizational measures.

During the conference, emphasis was placed on expanding the guerrilla forces (Gerîla) and creating “red zones” under exclusive party control. The conference concluded by electing a new Central Committee and prioritizing the strengthening of military organization and political authority.

Fifth Conference – 1995: Correction and Accountability

Held from December 8 to 27, 1995, the PKK’s fifth conference was the first major gathering after the collapse of the global socialist system. It featured 231 delegates and marked significant ideological and intellectual shifts.

At the conference, leader Abdullah Ocalan presented a comprehensive document containing in-depth analyses and calls to renew the party’s political and military programs. This gathering became known as the “Conference of Correction and Accountability,” as it reviewed four years of armed struggle and emphasized preparing for a possible war with the Turkish state.

Sixth Conference – 1999: Confronting the International Conspiracy

Following the international conspiracy targeting Abdullah Ocalan—initiated on October 8, 1998, and culminating in his capture and extradition to Turkey on February 15, 1999—the PKK held its sixth conference from January 12 to February 18, 1999, in the "Khaneira" area of Southern Kurdistan.

Despite the high tensions, the conference aimed to address the fallout of the conspiracy and called for united resistance. It concluded with recommendations to strengthen the party’s resistance line.

Seventh Conference – 2000: Rebirth and Reorganization

Amid the political upheaval following leader Ocalan’s capture, the party held an extraordinary seventh conference from January 2 to 23, 2000, in "Dola Koke" in Qandil. The conference made foundational decisions to rebuild the party on the basis of democratic struggle, dissolving the "ARGK – Kurdistan People's Liberation Army" and establishing "HPG – People's Defense Forces" .

It also abolished the "ERNK – National Liberation Front of Kurdistan" and proposed organizing the masses under the "Democratic People’s Union," aiming to transform the PKK into a broad-based democratic popular movement.

Eighth Conference – 2002: Formal Shifts and Attempts at Internal Purge

The eighth PKK conference was held from April 4 to 10, 2002, at the "Martyr Harun" area in Qandil with 285 delegates participating. The conference decided to change the party’s name to KADEK – Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress, signaling a new direction in reshaping its organizational and political identity.

Amendments were made to programs and principles, especially concerning activities in Northern Kurdistan, with an emphasis on strengthening the role of women, youth, and mass organizations.

However, the conference was marked by controversy involving Ferhad (Osman Ocalan), who proposed reducing the organizational rank of professional guerrilla cadres—a suggestion strongly rejected by the delegates with standing ovations of protest. He also proposed the inclusion of a “Coordinated Leadership System” within the new leadership structure, which was accepted.

Following the conference, KADEK’s newly elected Central Committee convened and formed a Presidential Council of nine members, with Cemil Bayik appointed as the effective coordinator.

In parallel, Ferhad continued to push for organizing elements considered hostile to the party’s direction, clearly aiming at a purge-oriented approach within the organization. When the outcomes of the conference were presented to leader Abdullah Ocalan, he did not express clear approval of KADEK’s direction, indicating his reservations about the shift.

Ninth Conference – 2005: Return to the Roots and Reorganization

From March 28 to April 4, 2005, the PKK held its ninth conference in the "Khaneira" area, with the participation of 205 delegates. This conference marked a new founding moment for the party, based on intellectual and organizational conclusions inspired by leader Abdullah Ocalan's book "Defense of the People."

A new internal charter and program were approved, reflecting the party’s ideological and intellectual transformation over recent years. The conference also reinstated the emblem and flag of the former ERNK – National Liberation Front of Kurdistan as the new symbols of the PKK, symbolizing continuity with its historical struggle.

The party underwent a structural reorganization, electing new leadership and forming a "Party Council." Although the system of co-leadership was approved, it was not implemented in practice and was later set aside with the leader’s consent.

Despite organizational progress and reinforced unity, the conference was criticized for lacking decisive militant expression, particularly in confronting factional tendencies within the movement.

Tenth Conference – 2008: Shifting Struggles and Reinforcing Discipline

Held from August 21 to 30, 2008, in the Qandil mountains, the tenth conference was attended by members from training cycles. It featured a shift in organizational leadership, replacing the co-leadership model with a party coordination system, though no major changes were made to the program or internal rules.

The focus was on evaluating the prior phase and criticizing policies viewed by participants as forms of "hidden social reform," considered a threat to the revolutionary structure of the party.

A key moment of the conference was the opening of a platform for criticism and self-criticism, through written reports submitted by the leadership, reinforcing transparency and organizational accountability.

The conference concluded by announcing new tasks for the coming phase, centered on the "struggle for the freedom of the leader." A new party leadership was elected amid a spirit of unity and boosted morale.

Eleventh Conference – 2013: Institutionalizing the Democratic Nation Concept

From September 5 to 13, 2013, the PKK held its eleventh conference once again in "Khaneira," with 125 delegates attending. This was a pivotal intellectual and political moment, where the party adopted a new program and internal regulations based on leader Abdullah Ocalan’s works "Manifesto of the Democratic Civilization" and "Defense of the People."

This formalized the "Democratic Nation" as the party’s mass-based framework for struggle, transforming it from a theoretical concept into a practical action plan.

The conference also introduced significant organizational reforms: the "Coordination System" was replaced with the position of "General Secretary," and the "Party Council" was replaced by the "Central Committee," reshaping the leadership structure in line with the party’s evolving mission.

Extensive discussions were held on the intellectual, political, organizational, and military dimensions, resulting in strategic plans and decisions to guide the next stage.

In closing, the new Central Committee was announced with 55 members (men and women), and organizational duties were later distributed between the General Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Central Committee in a special meeting.

Twelfth Conference – 2025: The Legacy Continues, Renewal in Motion

On May 9, 2025, the PKK announced through Firat News Agency that its twelfth conference was held between May 5–7, 2025, in two separate locations within the "Medya Defense Zones" in Southern Kurdistan.

According to the statement, the conference was convened in response to the call for "Peace and Democratic Society" made by leader Ocalan on February 27 of this year. Leader Ocalan’s proposals and the central report were read during the conference.

The party declared that the conference adopted historically significant decisions that lay the foundation for a new phase of work based on the leader's principles. Martyrs were honored—most notably martyr Serî Serxwebûn Önder—and the importance of intensifying the struggle for the physical freedom of the leader was emphasized.

The statement noted that the results of the conference will be officially announced soon, after merging the reports from both conference venues.

Summary

Tracing the trajectory of the PKK’s conferences reveals a rare intellectual and organizational dynamism in the history of contemporary liberation movements. Since its founding, the party has consistently re-evaluated its methods, ideas, and even its organizational identity, responding to shifts in the Kurdish, regional, and international landscape.

These conferences have played a pivotal role in the party’s transformation—from conventional armed revolution to the democratic nation project, and from strict centralism to participatory, decentralized models—all while maintaining the essence of its liberation struggle.

Between each conference, the party treated every stage as a moment of reconstruction, often marked by intense self-criticism and decisive turning points. While some conferences faced factional challenges, the party largely demonstrated resilience, evolving its intellectual and organizational tools.

Therefore, the PKK’s conferences cannot be viewed merely as internal organizational events; they are strategic milestones in a long-term transformative journey—driven by a commitment to human and societal freedom, and above all, the freedom of leader Abdullah Ocalan, which has become the fundamental demand of millions.

a.k

ANHA