Legal application to lift Germany's PKK ban
Lawyers in Germany have filed a lawsuit seeking to lift the ban imposed on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been in place since 1993. The legal action follows the German government's negative response to a petition submitted in 2022 requesting the removal of the ban.
On May 11, 2022, legal representatives formally submitted a petition to the German government urging the revocation of the ban on the PKK. Reports indicate that the government responded unfavorably to the request.
At a press conference held in Berlin today, the Association for Democracy and International Law (MAF-DAD) and the Kurdish Democratic Society released a joint statement announcing the filing of a lawsuit against the German government's longstanding prohibition of the PKK.
The press conference was chaired by attorney Heike Geisweid, head of the MAF-DAD Administrative Committee, and featured statements from attorney Lukas Theune, who submitted the 2022 petition to lift the ban, KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) spokesperson Nilüfer Koç, and Bundestag member from the Left Party, Ferat Koçak.
Criminalization Policies
In her opening remarks, attorney Geisweid provided background on the PKK ban and the related dialogue with the German authorities. She noted that the PKK had resolved to disband during its congress held from May 5 to 7.
Geisweid stated that the Turkish state has yet to establish a legal or political basis for peace and continues its aggressive policies. She added, “The German government, for its part, persists in adopting measures hostile to peace for Kurds residing in Germany, such as criminalizing and banning Kurdish activities.”
PKK Takes Legal Action
Geisweid further clarified that the German government rejected the petition on the grounds that lifting the ban might negatively impact its foreign policy and relations with Turkey. As a result, the PKK has initiated legal proceedings against the Federal Republic of Germany in the appropriate administrative court.
Representing the plaintiff, attorney Lukas Theune declared:
“The PKK made a historic decision to disband and disarm. It is now time for Germany to lift the ban, to facilitate a successful peace process, and to allow the Kurdish minority movement to organize freely.”
He added, “The PKK has filed a legal case, which is currently ongoing before the Berlin Administrative Court. Even if this lawsuit does not align entirely with international peace narratives, it neither constitutes a security threat nor undermines the peace process.”
Theune emphasized that the peace initiative was accelerated by the call made by leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27. “The German Foreign Ministry expressed its support for the process initiated by leader Ocalan,” he said. “Therefore, the Berlin government must act promptly in support of this initiative, which includes lifting the PKK ban.”
Theune called on the authorities to approve the petition and repeal the legal prohibition.
The Left Party: Concrete Steps Must Be Taken
Bundestag member Ferat Koçak of the Left Party also spoke, affirming:
“The Left Party has consistently supported lifting the ban. Concrete steps must now be taken to realize peace in Kurdistan and Turkey.”
Nilüfer Koç: Berlin Must Support the Peace Process
KNK spokesperson Nilüfer Koç pointed out that while the German government had previously expressed support for leader Abdullah Ocalan, it must now follow through with substantive actions. “There have been public statements of support from the government,” she said.
Koç noted that the Kurdish side has taken significant risks and acted with responsibility. “Even Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Devlet Bahçeli responded positively,” she remarked. “Yet it remains unclear why the PKK ban in Germany has not been lifted, despite its central significance to the Kurdish people.” She urged the Berlin government to end tensions and fully support the peace process.
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