The 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), held between May 5 and 7 in the Medya Defense Areas, came after Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 Call for Peace and Democratic Society. Salih Muslim, a member of the Presidential Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), spoke to ANF regarding the PKK’s decision to dissolve its organizational structure and end its armed struggle.

Salih Muslim said these developments represent a historic step: “The PKK was founded with a specific purpose, and it has now achieved that purpose. The existence of the Kurdish people has been recognized. At the same time, Kurdish defense forces have been formed. Turkey has also acknowledged this reality and opened the way for such changes. Today, the Kurdish people have become a central actor in the Middle East. Therefore, it became clear that the PKK needed to transform itself. The branding of the PKK as a ‘terrorist’ organization was orchestrated by the Turkish state. A transformation in Kurdish strategy was necessary, and that transformation has taken place. We are now in a period marked by significant changes in both timing and direction. We hope that those who brought the PKK to this point will also guide the way forward. The PKK has dissolved itself, but the armed struggle was only one of many forms of resistance.”

Salih Muslim explained that the root of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict lies in the Treaty of Lausanne. “What is now expected from Turkey is to correct its historical wrongs, particularly those committed since Lausanne. The massacres and acts of genocide against the Kurds stemmed from that treaty. Before Lausanne, there was shared history and unity between Kurds and Turks. They had established a joint parliament and reached an agreement. But at Lausanne, the Kurds were denied. On that basis, the policy of annihilation against the Kurds has continued for the past century. However, throughout this hundred-year period, the Kurdish people have resisted and declared: ‘I exist. I am here with my culture, my history, and my identity.’”

Muslim emphasized that the Turkish state’s long-standing policy of genocide and forced displacement gave rise to the PKK and armed struggle. He said: “The PKK was founded in 1978 and launched armed resistance in 1984. It was established to raise people’s awareness, because at first, the people accepted defeat. But later, they rose up and resisted the state’s genocidal policy. The founding of the PKK and the beginning of armed struggle took place within the framework of legitimate self-defense.”

The Kurds have paid a heavy price through their struggle

Salih Muslim pointed out that ceasefires and peace initiatives, especially in the 1990s, were consistently obstructed. He continued: “In 1993, when a ceasefire was declared, Turgut Özal realized that this was a serious issue and that the Kurds could not simply be eliminated. The Kurds had a long history and had carried out 28 uprisings. But the Turkish state refused to accept this and had Turgut Özal killed. Afterward, the war against the Kurds in Kurdistan escalated. In 1998, under Erbakan’s leadership, some steps were taken, but they too were left unresolved. In 2007, during the Oslo process, the Kurdish side once again took the initiative. The Kurdish side has always maintained a positive and constructive stance. But each time, the process was blocked by someone. As a result, serious doubts have arisen, because to this day, the Turkish state has not changed its mindset. It still denies Kurdish culture. This chauvinistic approach must end. There are still many obstacles. We hope these barriers can be overcome through dialogue.”

Salih Muslim noted that one of the key figures hostile to the Kurdish people, Devlet Bahçeli, is now also involved in the current process. He said: “Since the 1960s, the person who has shown the most hostility towards the Kurdish people has been Devlet Bahçeli. Yet today, even he is part of this process. This shows that he too has come to realize that the path followed so far has been destructive and futile. There are still those who cling to a mentality of denial and refuse to recognize the Kurdish people’s existence. But as Kurds, with the support of our institutions and friends, we will overcome this mindset. Of course, this will not be easy. It will require struggle. International powers act according to their own interests. Some claim to uphold human rights and women’s rights, but when their interests are at stake, they abandon those values. We must make them see that this war affects not only our region but also their own societies. There are those who want peace in Turkey, Syria, and the Middle East. The rights of women and children must be protected in this region too. International actors should take on the role of guarantors in this process.

The Kurdish side has always been ready to take this step, but the Turkish state has consistently refused to move forward. If this mentality changes, if the Kurdish people’s existence is accepted and coexistence becomes possible, there will be no remaining conflict. The entire Middle East would benefit. The Kurdish people, especially in Rojava, have introduced themselves to the world through their resistance against Turkish occupation. The Kurdish people have shown for years that they are capable of resistance. From now on, the responsibility lies with the Turkish state. Since the 1980s, the Kurdish people have paid a heavy price in their struggle. In particular, a renewed campaign of destruction was launched in 2015 with the aim of eradicating the Kurds. The last decade has unfolded according to that plan. Turkey’s economy has collapsed, and all gains achieved in both Kurdistan and Turkey have been lost. All of this is the result of war. If the Turkish state continues to deny Kurdish identity and existence, it will inflict grave harm on both the Kurdish and Turkish peoples. The Kurdish people will never again accept submission.”

Democratic nation is for everyone

Salih Muslim emphasized that different peoples have lived together in Kurdistan for thousands of years and concluded his remarks as follows: “In Mesopotamia, civilization has been embraced more deeply than anywhere else. If a society cannot build democracy within itself, then neither parties nor institutions can develop. Political parties and organizations exist to organize society, and they can only do so on the basis of democracy. In a society without democracy, neither parties nor institutions can survive. That is why our party and our institutions must protect democracy and uphold the culture of democracy. A democratic nation is for everyone. On this basis, everyone must fulfill their responsibilities in this process.

Anyone who seeks to build freedom and democracy and lead society must understand the history of the PKK. The struggle led by the Kurdish people through their own organizations is now seen as an example across the world. Hundreds of parties and organizations have been founded, and many have disappeared. Those who aim to lead peoples with the ideals of freedom and democracy must look to the history of struggle carried forward by the PKK. This movement, which began with just a few people under the leadership of Mr. Öcalan, has grown tremendously. It advanced with faith and stayed true to its principles. This experience must be recorded in history, because anyone who seeks to lead the peoples must come to know the PKK.”