Politicians: Leader Ocalan must be freed for real peace
Politicians and activists in Hasakah have affirmed that the Turkish authorities must end their evasive behavior and respond to the call of the leader Abdullah Ocalan. They stressed that genuine peace cannot be achieved without his physical freedom.
On February 27 of this year, Leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a call entitled "Peace and the Democratic Society", in which he urged an end to the ongoing conflict and the initiation of a new political process to resolve the Kurdish issue in Turkey. In direct response to this call, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) held its 12th Congress between May 5 and 7, during which it announced the dissolution of its organizational structure and an end to armed struggle as a prelude to transitioning toward peaceful political engagement.
Despite this bold initiative by the party, the Turkish authorities have yet to take any serious steps reflecting a clear intent to pursue peace.
In this context, ANHA Agency met with politicians and activists in the city of Hasakah to gather their perspectives on the future of the peace process and the role expected of the Turkish authorities at this critical juncture.
Abdul Ghani Oso, the member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), stated: “ While Turkey speaks of peace publicly, on the ground it faces pressure from internal parties and factions that do not wish for this process to succeed."
He described the recent PKK congress as “a sincere and courageous step toward peace,” emphasizing that the party reaffirmed its commitment to Leader Abdullah Ocalan and to his peaceful project for ending the conflict.
Oso asserted that the first concrete action the Turkish state must take—if it is truly committed to peace—is to unconditionally release Abdullah Ocalan.
The second necessary step, according to Oso, is to initiate serious constitutional reforms and to release political prisoners from Turkish prisons. In parallel, the state must issue clear public statements that demonstrate a genuine intent to engage in a comprehensive peace process.
He concluded, “Only then can we say that Turkey is on the path to peace.”
For his part, the political activist Hussein Berri stressed that peace is an inevitable choice, but the greatest obstacle lies in the entrenched mentality within the Turkish regime.
He said: “The Turkish state needs time to change its mindset. It has deeply ingrained repression and a rejection of participatory governance in the public consciousness. Overcoming this legacy will not be easy or quick—but the undeniable truth is that there is no alternative to peace.”
He added, “Today, the ball is in Turkey’s court. It must take bold and responsible steps.”
Political activist Mohammad Ashraf Ali described the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s decision to dissolve its organizational structure as a “historic step,” stating:
“The Turkish state turned its focus toward Imrali Prison because it knows that the solution resides there.”
He continued: “Leader Abdullah Ocalan issued the call for peace and took full responsibility. In response, the PKK, at its 12th Congress, dissolved its organizational body, ended armed struggle, and announced its transition to political activism. Unfortunately, the procrastination and evasion we are witnessing from the Turkish state reflect weakness and fragmentation within its system.”
Ali stressed that certain factions within Turkey actively oppose this solution because it does not serve their interests.
In conclusion, he stated: “What we need today is a clear and unequivocal stance from the Turkish state. It must release leader Abdullah Ocalan, implement comprehensive constitutional reforms, and empty its prisons of political detainees. Only then can we speak of a genuine peace.”
a.k
ANHA
Politicians: Leader Ocalan must be freed for real peace
On February 27 of this year, Leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a call entitled "Peace and the Democratic Society", in which he urged an end to the ongoing conflict and the initiation of a new political process to resolve the Kurdish issue in Turkey. In direct response to this call, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) held its 12th Congress between May 5 and 7, during which it announced the dissolution of its organizational structure and an end to armed struggle as a prelude to transitioning toward peaceful political engagement.
Despite this bold initiative by the party, the Turkish authorities have yet to take any serious steps reflecting a clear intent to pursue peace.
In this context, ANHA Agency met with politicians and activists in the city of Hasakah to gather their perspectives on the future of the peace process and the role expected of the Turkish authorities at this critical juncture.
Abdul Ghani Oso, the member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), stated: “ While Turkey speaks of peace publicly, on the ground it faces pressure from internal parties and factions that do not wish for this process to succeed."
He described the recent PKK congress as “a sincere and courageous step toward peace,” emphasizing that the party reaffirmed its commitment to Leader Abdullah Ocalan and to his peaceful project for ending the conflict.
Oso asserted that the first concrete action the Turkish state must take—if it is truly committed to peace—is to unconditionally release Abdullah Ocalan.
The second necessary step, according to Oso, is to initiate serious constitutional reforms and to release political prisoners from Turkish prisons. In parallel, the state must issue clear public statements that demonstrate a genuine intent to engage in a comprehensive peace process.
He concluded, “Only then can we say that Turkey is on the path to peace.”
For his part, the political activist Hussein Berri stressed that peace is an inevitable choice, but the greatest obstacle lies in the entrenched mentality within the Turkish regime.
He said: “The Turkish state needs time to change its mindset. It has deeply ingrained repression and a rejection of participatory governance in the public consciousness. Overcoming this legacy will not be easy or quick—but the undeniable truth is that there is no alternative to peace.”
He added, “Today, the ball is in Turkey’s court. It must take bold and responsible steps.”
Political activist Mohammad Ashraf Ali described the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s decision to dissolve its organizational structure as a “historic step,” stating:
“The Turkish state turned its focus toward Imrali Prison because it knows that the solution resides there.”
He continued: “Leader Abdullah Ocalan issued the call for peace and took full responsibility. In response, the PKK, at its 12th Congress, dissolved its organizational body, ended armed struggle, and announced its transition to political activism. Unfortunately, the procrastination and evasion we are witnessing from the Turkish state reflect weakness and fragmentation within its system.”
Ali stressed that certain factions within Turkey actively oppose this solution because it does not serve their interests.
In conclusion, he stated: “What we need today is a clear and unequivocal stance from the Turkish state. It must release leader Abdullah Ocalan, implement comprehensive constitutional reforms, and empty its prisons of political detainees. Only then can we speak of a genuine peace.”
a.k
ANHA
