Exiled Kurdish politicians emphasized that Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom is essential to prevent the loss of a historic opportunity for peace.

Hüseyin Yılmaz, Co-Chair of the Democratic Kurdish Community Center (NAV) in Berlin, stated that for the process to move forward in a healthy and constructive way, and for a lasting life to be built together with the Kurdish people, the most fundamental step is for Abdullah Öcalan to lead the process in freedom.

Yılmaz said: “The physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan and his direct involvement in the process are essential. It is Mr. Öcalan who founded the organization. Following his call, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) made a historic decision to dissolve itself and expressed its will to end the armed struggle. This is not an ordinary development. It marks the beginning of a new era in a fifty-year-long struggle.

For this historic step to turn into lasting peace, the state must take responsibility. If the state responds to a peace initiative with policies of war, public trust will once again be broken. The Turkish people must also fulfill their part in achieving peace. The political, cultural, and legal rights of the Kurdish people must be recognized. The Kurdish people must continue their organized democratic struggle and turn this process into one of national unity and social solidarity.

At this stage, the issue is no longer limited to the Kurds. It has become a matter of building a common future for all the peoples of the Middle East. Mr. Öcalan’s role in this process must not be limited to theoretical contributions. His participation as an active agent is indispensable to ensuring the sincerity of peace.

We understand that deeply-rooted solutions will not come overnight. However, we believe that Mr. Öcalan is leading this process and that efforts are ongoing. With this belief, we act with the conviction that all peoples can live together in peace.

The steps taken in response to Mr. Öcalan’s historic call must not go unanswered. If his physical freedom is not guaranteed, the sincerity of the peace process will be brought into question. A solution to the Kurdish question can only be achieved through dialogue, democratization, and a genuine will to live together.”

Öcalan and the PKK have taken away the state’s main argument

Kurdish politician Abdullah Demirbaş said: “The dissolution of the PKK, especially in response to Mr. Öcalan’s call is a historic step. Until now, the state insisted that no progress could be made unless the weapons were silenced. Mr. Öcalan and the PKK have fulfilled their responsibility by removing this argument from the hands of the state. From now on, the responsibility lies with the state. The state must now act accordingly.

As an immediate gesture of goodwill, ill and political prisoners must be released to create the foundation for this process. Additionally, a commission should be established in Parliament. This commission must be allowed to function and take steps toward peace.

Most importantly, Mr. Öcalan is the chief negotiator and the main figure to lead this process. Both the Kurdish people and the PKK have declared that Mr. Öcalan is the one who will guide this effort. For him to fulfill this role, his conditions must change.

His physical freedom must be secured, and a secretariat must be established to enable him to lead the process. The necessary legal arrangements must be implemented. All steps in this process must be transparent.”

The Kurdish side has fulfilled its responsibility

Hasan Basri Fırat, the grandson of Sheikh Said and a politician, emphasized the importance of Mr. Öcalan’s role in the newly initiated process. He said: “The Kurdish side has fulfilled its responsibility. In response to Mr. Öcalan’s call, the PKK took the necessary steps and ended the armed struggle. The Kurdish people have done what was required, and now there are no more excuses left for the state.

The Kurdish side listened to Mr. Öcalan and did what needed to be done. The matter now lies entirely in the hands of the state. We expect the government, led by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), to fulfill the promises they made. Our demand is the freedom of Mr. Öcalan so that this process can move forward without disruption or damage. If Mr. Öcalan is released, he will be able to convince the people and present a political perspective that allows for a faster and more effective resolution. His physical freedom is essential for the continuation of this process.”

Kurds will reunite even under the same sky

Academic Dr. Mithat İshak emphasized that Mr. Öcalan’s call presents a vital opportunity for Kurdish unity and said: “New platforms are emerging in today’s world. In this context, the digital space offers significant opportunities. As teacher (Mamoste) Hasan once said, ‘Now Kurds will reunite even under the same sky.’ Why did he say this? Because today, thanks to social media, Kurdish media, and television, the Kurdish people can come together through the opportunities created by the digital world.

In this way, they can shape a life defined by the realities of the new century. Even without a state, a stateless solution is possible. As Mr. Öcalan has stated, Kurdish unity and the resolution of the Kurdish question are achievable through a stateless model.

Mr. Öcalan’s call presents a new opportunity for Kurds living in all four parts of Kurdistan and in the diaspora. The real discussion is about how we can implement this paradigm, and the outcome of this debate is of critical importance.

If Kurds in the diaspora come together on such platforms, both the physical and psychological borders imposed a century ago can be dismantled. In doing so, the need for collective action will become clearer and more tangible.

In this way, Kurds in the diaspora will reconnect, deepen their ties, and strengthen their unity. Mr. Öcalan’s message clearly calls for this, and we can realize that call by acting on it.”