The Peace Foundation released a statement following the workshop it organized on 26 April in Istanbul, titled 'Disarmament and the Kurdish Question'.

The workshop, which brought together academics, journalists, writers, and representatives of civil society, highlighted the need to improve Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions and to establish a legal framework for the peace process.

Participants emphasized that building peace requires responsibility from all segments of society. They stated that the resolution process cannot move forward without a negotiating counterpart and without dialogue.

It was stated that legal and political regulations are necessary to implement Mr. Öcalan’s call for a congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The statement issued following the workshop emphasized that “Improving Mr. Öcalan’s conditions and ensuring his effective participation, in some form, in the congress of the PKK, emerged as an urgent matter. It was underlined that this falls within the responsibility of the government.”

It was emphasized that fundamental rights, such as human rights, freedom of expression, and the release of seriously ill prisoners, must not be treated as matters of negotiation in the pursuit of social peace.

Participants stated that the peace process and the democratization process cannot proceed separately and must move forward together.

In conclusion, the workshop highlighted that the socialization of the peace process and the participation of the people are of vital importance. It was stated that all actors involved in the process must act with a sense of responsibility.