“Historic declaration” by PKK founder Öcalan

Despite the awaited “historic declaration” by PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan, the human rights organization Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) is not optimistic that there will be serious peace negotiations between the Kurds and the Turkish government. 

“Peace needs two sides. I don’t see any signs that Turkey is willing to accept even a minimum of rights for the Kurds: the release of all political prisoners, equal treatment of Kurdish language and the Turkish language, and self-administration in Kurdistan,” stated Dr. Kamal Sido, the STP’s Middle East consultant.

“On the contrary, Turkey is trying everything it can to prevent autonomy for the Kurdish people in Syria as well, even with bombs. Erdoğan feels strengthened due to support by NATO and by Sunni Islamist forces. His aim is to continue the war and the violence against the Kurdish people within and outsider of Turkey,” the Middle East consultant said.

Since at least 1992, the Kurds – including the PKK and Abdullah Öcalan – had repeatedly declared unilateral ceasefires, showing their willingness to put down their weapons for good. The Turkish state did not respond to this but instead escalated the war, committing mass murders and carrying out mass arrests, even of representatives of the people and journalists. Political parties were declared illegal and elected majors were deposed. Turkey even ordered Kurdish people in exile to be murdered. 

“Now, Öcalan is trying to make peace unilaterally once again. This attempt to bring about a dialogue is a thousand times better than continuing to shoot at each other. But the problem remains: Turkey is still carrying out air raids and ground attacks, and anyone who stands up for freedom and peace in Kurdistan and Turkey is sent to prison,” the human rights advocate stated.