The co-presidency of the KCK Executive Council issued a written statement about the meeting held with Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] on Wednesday, 23 October.

The statement pointed out that the isolation continues and emphasized that "it is not possible to talk about or expect development unless the isolation imposed on Leader Apo is completely lifted and Leader Apo’s health, safety and working conditions are established."

The statement said: "On Wednesday, 23 October, a meeting was held with Rêber Apo. A message he wanted to convey was presented to the public. The fact that a meeting with him has taken place again after five years is very important. We, our people, and our international friends were very happy to hear from Rêber Apo and this meeting. However, as Rêber Apo stated, the isolation has not been lifted; it continues.

Rêber Apo has made it clear that he will fulfill his historical responsibility by stating that he will play a role in the democratic, political solution to the Kurdish question if the corresponding conditions arise. This attitude must be understood well by everyone. Those who take a stance for peace in Turkey and for the political solution to the Kurdish question, those who call for it, and those who support it must show the necessary approach to Rêber Apo’s stance."

The statement added: "And for this, firstly, Rêber Apo’s health, security, and working conditions must be ensured. It is not realistic to expect Rêber Apo to play a role before these conditions are met and before the conditions for rapid dialogue and communication are established. We evaluate the meeting positively. However, the isolation of Rêber Apo has not ended. The isolation continues. Rêber Apo has also stated that the isolation continues. It is not possible to talk about and expect progress until the isolation of Rêber Apo is completely lifted and his health, safety, and working conditions are ensured.

The interlocutor for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question is Rêber Apo. Peace in Turkey is only possible by taking Rêber Apo as the interlocutor. As a movement, we believe that the democratization of Turkey depends on the democratic solution to the Kurdish question and that the solution to the Kurdish question can only be possible on the basis of the democratization of Turkey. We have demonstrated this position many times. In the same way, both we and our people have always stated that the interlocutor of the democratic solution to the Kurdish question is Rêber Apo."

The statement continued: "We emphasize this approach once again. The Kurdish people, with all their organizations, will take the process that Rêber Apo will develop as a basis. Rêber Apo is the will of our movement and our people and the interlocutor and negotiator for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question. There is no different approach and stance on this issue. Our movement, with all its parts, structures, and organizations, will act according to the process that Rêber Apo will develop.

It is stated that the action in Ankara was carried out by our movement. If this action was carried out by our forces, the HPG would make the corresponding statement. However, as is tried to be reflected, this action has absolutely nothing to do with the process being developed. Using this action as an excuse to target Rojava, Shengal (Sinjar), and the Medya Defense Areas, is completely unacceptable. Villages and cities in Rojava were hit without any target discrimination. The people, their living spaces, food storage and water tanks, electricity and energy stations, dams, bakeries, and hospitals were targeted. What has taken place is a massacre and a genocidal attack. Untold numbers of civilians have lost their lives in these attacks, and dozens have been wounded. We condemn these dastardly attacks. It is a great paradox that, on the one hand, there is talk of peace and a political solution to the problems, and on the other hand, there are such reckless attacks and massacres of people, targeting the living spaces and resources of the people."

The statement underlined that "our people and our international friends should act with awareness of this fact. Everything that has been achieved so far has been through struggle. All the developments we have led to are the result of our struggle. All the successes and developments we will achieve in the future will be through struggle. We must act with this historical consciousness and take the development of the struggle as a basis. It is known that we are in favor of a democratic solution to the Kurdish question and that we advocate a solution through dialogue and negotiations. We are a movement and a people who have demonstrated this attitude and will on many occasions. Rêber Apo, in the meeting he held under heavy isolation, once again clearly expressed his position for a democratic solution. However, the isolation on Rêber Apo continues. We need to increase our struggle for the end of isolation and the physical freedom of Rêber Apo. Our people and our international friends must raise the struggle on this basis."