PKK responds to leader Ocalan call and announces ceasefire

The PKK's Executive Committee issued a statement to the public regarding leader Abdullah Ocalan's historic appeal on 27 February, which read:

"Leader Abdullah Ocalan's statement, issued on February 27, entitled "The Call for Peace and a Democratic Society", illuminates the path of all powers of freedom and democracy and is like a manifesto of the era, and we salute leader Apo for presenting the manifesto of democratic society to our people and to humanity.

Successful implementation of its content is also very important

It is clear that a new historic process has begun in Kurdistan and the Middle East in conjunction with the call, and this will have a significant impact on the development of democratic governance and free life around the world.

Undoubtedly, the launch of such a call was very important; now, the successful implementation of its content is also very important, we, as the PKK, directly agree with the content of the leader's call and declare that we will abide by the requirements of the call and implement it on our part, but nevertheless, it is necessary to ensure that democratic political conditions and the legal ground are also achieved to ensure success.

The awareness of leader Apo and the experience created by the PKK empower the people to lead the struggle

It is very clear that the Kurdistan Workers' Party has become a movement representing truth and great heroism over the past half-century in Kurdistan. It has achieved everything through heroic struggle, self-sacrifice, and immense efforts. Therefore, we honor all the heroic martyrs of this liberation struggle with great respect, love, and immense gratitude. Now, we carry these historical achievements into a new phase of struggle with the same spirit and faith. The awareness instilled by leader Abdullah Ocalan and the great experience created by the PKK grant our people righteousness, wisdom, and beauty, as well as the power to lead the liberation struggle through democratic politics.

Our forces will not carry out military operations unless attacked

In this context, we declare a ceasefire starting today, marking the realization of leader Apo’s call for peace and a democratic society. None of our forces will carry out military operations unless attacks are launched against us. Furthermore, addressing issues such as disarmament can only be achieved through the practical leadership of leader Apo.

For the conference’s success, leader Abdullah Ocalan must personally lead it

We are ready to hold a party conference in line with leader Apo’s call. However, for this to be realized, the necessary conditions must be prepared. For the conference to be successful, Leader Apo must personally lead it. Up until now, we have managed the war despite all the mistakes and shortcomings, but only leader Apo is capable of leading the era of peace and a democratic society.

Ensuring the physical freedom, the free life, and the unhindered work is essential

The tangible facts clearly show that to successfully implement the call for peace and a democratic society, achieve democracy in Turkey and the Middle East through a democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue, and pave the way for the advancement of the global democratic movement, it is necessary to ensure conditions that allow Leader Abdullah Öcalan to live and work freely, to communicate with whomever he wants, including his comrades, without obstacles. We hope the relevant state institutions will meet these requirements.

The call is not the last but a new beginning

To our people and dear friends!

Leader Apo’s call is certainly not the last; on the contrary, it marks an entirely new beginning. As stated explicitly in the declaration, it highlights what should have been done over the past 35 years in general and the past 20 years in particular, but was not accomplished to the required extent. Now, these must undoubtedly be fulfilled. In this regard, it is necessary to understand the call, its reasons, its characteristics, and the duties of the new process it initiates correctly and sufficiently. Its requirements must be successfully met, and the content of the call must be approached with great responsibility and seriousness. Successfully implementing it in every field is of great importance.

We must all consider ourselves responsible for the success of leader Apo’s call

Let us not forget that leader Apo has always taken the greatest burden upon himself. He lights our path and leads us. Now, with the "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society," he takes a new step and begins a new struggle for all the oppressed, especially women and youth. Therefore, we must correctly understand the characteristics of this new process, fulfill its duties successfully, and remain prepared against all kinds of plots and attacks. We must work to develop our democratic organization and liberation struggle with great courage and dedication in Kurdistan, the Middle East, and worldwide. We must all consider ourselves responsible for the success of Leader Apo’s call.

The strongest call is to embrace March 8 and Newroz

As we enter a new March, we experience the enthusiasm of March 8 and Newroz. We must work to develop the Women’s Freedom Revolution based on the science of women (Jineology) and organize an ethical and political society along the path of democratic civilization. We must strive to understand the Apoist truth correctly and sufficiently and advance the revolution of truth, which is a revolution of thought and lifestyle. In essence, leader Apo’s latest call is the strongest call to embrace March 8 and Newroz and celebrate them with great enthusiasm. Women and youth must understand this call more than anyone else, embrace it strongly, and fulfill its requirements.

On this basis, we congratulate all women, youth, our people, and our friends on March 8, International Working Women’s Day, and Newroz. We call on everyone to embrace leader Apo’s call in the spirit of March 8 and Newroz and to escalate the liberation struggle in all fields!

Long live our heroic vanguard, the Kurdistan Workers' Party!

Long live Leader Apo!. 

Sh-S/A-H

ANHA