The “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” issued by Abdullah Öcalan, the founding leader of the PKK who has been held captive in isolation for 26 years at the Imrali island prison, and shared with the public on February 27, 2025, created a significant opportunity to put an end to the nearly fifty-year conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state.

The ongoing process of conflict, which has resulted in the loss of life and liberty for tens of thousands of people, and the displacement of millions, has also brought about massive political, economic, ecological, and social destruction. A significant number of people have been forced to flee their homeland due to the ongoing conflict, including us, the founders of the European Forum for Peace and Freedom (EFFP).

The PKK has announced a unilateral ceasefire, stating its intention to adhere to Öcalan’s call.

The hand of peace extended once again by a political leader who has been held captive under circumstances of severe isolation for 26 years should not be left unreciprocated; the People’s Alliance led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should fulfill its responsibilities without resorting to any delaying tactics. In this way, it can begin to enhance its antidemocratic record both at home and abroad.  

The main forces to put this call into practice are the workers of Anatolia and Mesopotamia, the unemployed, poor peasants, the women, LGBTI+ individuals, defenders of nature, those who cannot practice their beliefs freely, those seeking equal citizenship rights, the youth who are concerned about their future, ignored ancient peoples; in short, all social sectors that need peace and a democratic society.

This historical moment is too vital to be left to the mercy of state authorities. We, especially the opposition, must act together and pressure the government to take steps towards peace and democratization.

First of all, in order for losses of life to stop it is essential for the Turkish state to reciprocate with the unilateral ceasefire declared by the PKK.

In order for the negotiations to yield positive results, the indispensable conditions are ensuring the physical freedom of Öcalan, who is in the position of chief negotiator, by means of implementing his Right to Hope, continuing the negotiations in a transparent manner, establishing the legal basis for the issue, and making the Turkish Grand National Assembly one of the primary negotiation venues.

It would be valuable confidence-building measures for the government to make arrangements without delay to ensure the freedom of political prisoners, starting with the sick and elderly prisoners, to remove the trustees and reinstate the elected mayors, to end the military and political oppression against the Kurds and the opposition, and to take democratic steps.

The Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom, which has long gone beyond Turkey’s borders and become a global issue, now needs international support and solidarity more than ever. In order for the new process, which Abdullah Öcalan supports with great responsibility, to reach a positive result, international powers should also get involved and encourage, even force, the Erdoğan government to fulfill the responsibilities that fall on its shoulders. 

Paving the way for peace and a democratic solution in Turkey could make a positive contribution to the Middle East, which has become a powder keg, and to the world in general, and could set an important example for currently active conflict zones.

Strengthening negotiations over militarization, equal, free co-existence over polarization, and solidarity among peoples over competition among states will be good for all the peoples of the world.

While the current situation creates expectations and hopes on the one hand, the track record of the government and its current position are a cause for concern, on the other.

That is why we should insist on the demand for peace and democracy and carry out a powerful struggle in all spheres of life in order to develop and spread it.

As the European Forum for Peace and Freedoms (EFFP), we call on all parties to act responsibly, sensibly and with foresight in order for this process to develop an environment where all peoples and beliefs can freely express and live their identities, languages ​​and cultures, where equality, justice and democracy will flourish. We wish and hope that the mistakes and suffering of the past will not be repeated.