The KCK Foreign Relations Committee spokesperson criticized statements made in Erbil (Hewlêr) by the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani.
The KCK said in a statement: “In response to Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call for Peace and a Democratic Society on 27 February, the PKK convened its 12th Congress, made its decisions, and publicly announced them to the world. During its 12th Congress, the PKK declared its dissolution and, following Abdullah Öcalan’s call, announced its decision to abandon the strategy of armed struggle. Demonstrating its firm stance in this process, under the leadership of KCK Executive Council Co-Chair Besê Hozat, a group of thirty people symbolically burned their weapons on 11 July 2025, expressing their will.”
The statement added: “In this period of significant developments in our region and country, it is clearly seen how vital Abdullah Öcalan’s Peace and Democratic Society project is. These developments, which have been met with great sensitivity by all forces in favor of peace, democracy, and freedom, cannot in any way be dismissed by Nechirvan Barzani’s negative statements and evaluations made during a meeting in Hewlêr, rejecting our Movement’s determined position and its results. Through his unfair and distorted assessments, Nechirvan Barzani has adopted a negative stance, echoing the mentality and rhetoric of those opposed to a solution. Speaking with the arguments of the Turkish state does not serve the Kurdish people or the forces of democracy. Nechirvan Barzani’s attempt to create the perception of a contradiction between Abdullah Öcalan and our Movement, by suggesting that ‘the PKK does not listen to Abdullah Öcalan’, is a grave mistake.”
The statement continued: “Frankly, all Kurds and everyone who supports a solution know very well to whom this oppositional language and attitude belong. Nechirvan Barzani may, of course, develop relations with the Turkish Republic. No one opposes that. However, it is quite significant that he made this negative and unfortunate statement right before his visit to Turkey, coinciding with 9 October, the anniversary of the start of the international conspiracy and the occupation of Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. We reject this statement, which reflects the mindset he carries, and submit it to the judgment of all conscientious circles. We expect Nechirvan Barzani to abandon this negative attitude.”