One year has passed since Abdullah Öcalan made his “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” on 27 February 2025. During this period, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) took historic steps, beginning with its dissolution congress and followed by the burning of weapons and a complete withdrawal from Northern Kurdistan (Bakur).
In the meantime, the Solution Commission established within the Turkish Parliament listened to various individuals and institutions. After these meetings, the commission visited Imralı Island on 24 November 2025 and held a meeting with Abdullah Öcalan. Most recently, on 16 February, it announced its sixty-page report containing proposals on “democratization.”
Journalist Serdar Altan spoke to ANF about the steps taken following the call, Abdullah Öcalan’s position regarding the attacks on Rojava, and his statements that “the first phase has been completed, and we have moved to the second phase.”
PKK’s moves have nullified the state’s security concerns
Serdar Altan underlined that the Call for Peace and Democratic Society was not merely a ceasefire, but the end of one paradigm and the beginning of a new one.
Altan said: “The fact that not only Kurdistan and Turkey but the entire world described this call as a ‘historic step’ also shows the global weight of the issue. When we look at the first six months of the process, we see that the PKK responded to Öcalan’s statements with very radical steps. The most concrete step, which began with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s dissolution congress, was followed by many other tangible moves.
Then, on 9 July, Öcalan addressed the public via video for the first time in twenty-six years, which we can say broke psychological barriers. And on 11 July, there was that scene in the Casene Cave witnessed by the entire world. By burning weapons, the Kurdish movement was in fact sending a message to the whole world. In addition to this, there was the statement coming from Kandil on 26 October announcing the complete withdrawal of forces from Northern Kurdistan. This was a very important step that nullified the state’s ‘security’ concerns and opened the space entirely to democratic politics.”
Parliamentary delegation meeting with Mr. Öcalan overcame the interlocutor crisis
Altan continued: “In response to these concrete steps, both the Kurdish people and the Kurdish movement understandably expected positive steps from the state. However, this largely did not happen. The most concrete step on the state’s side was undoubtedly the establishment of the ‘National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission’ on 5 August.
After the commission’s lengthy hearing process, another historic development followed. On 24 November, for the first time in the history of Turkey, a joint delegation composed of representatives from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) sat down at the table with Mr. Öcalan in Imralı. This meeting showed that the state had overcome the official interlocutor crisis regarding the issue of a solution. At the same time, it meant the breaking of a long-standing taboo.
However, when we ask today, at the end of one year, ‘What has been achieved?’, we see that the parliamentary report announced on 18 February unfortunately fell short of expectations.”
Altan also referred to Devlet Bahçeli’s statement on 12 September that “Peace is not a bird with one wing,” and made the following assessment: “Abdullah Öcalan attached the first wing with his call; the PKK began to flap that wing by dissolving itself and burning its weapons. Yet the second wing needed for peace to fly, namely the laws for a ‘transition to democracy,’ constitutional guarantees and the restoration of rights that the state must enact, is still hanging in the air.
In other words, at the end of the first year, the guns have fallen silent, provocations have been prevented, and the Kurdish side has fulfilled all its obligations. But today the Peace and Democratic Society Process is still searching for a practical interlocutor and a legal framework. If Parliament cannot transform this report from a text of good intentions into a real roadmap, unfortunately we may face the risk of wasting this historic opportunity.”
Attacks on Rojava endanger the process
Altan emphasized that the attacks on Rojava and Turkey’s involvement in these attacks endanger the peace process. He said: “It is important to note this: Yes, an agreement was reached between the Rojava administration in Rojava and the interim government in Damascus; however, this is in many ways a fragile agreement. Of course, there are many reasons for this. But without dwelling too much on them, the Kurds need to demonstrate a stronger will. Because the situation in Rojava affects the Kurds as a whole, and most of all North Kurdistan.
We must remember this: In North Kurdistan and Turkey there is a process initiated by Mr. Öcalan that is still ongoing. When did this process face a serious danger? Certainly, after the developments related to Rojava in January. Because Turkey is directly involved in this process. The Turkish state sees this area as a matter of survival. It made intense efforts to prevent the Kurds from gaining a status there. In the end, a solution and an agreement were reached there, and Turkey had to accept this. However, this does not mean that it will not continue its initiatives.
Of course, such a negative situation would directly affect the peace process. Because for some time Mr. Öcalan has been saying that there is an approach aimed at undermining the process. When the attacks on Rojava began, he made a similar assessment. He described it as a conspiracy.”
Rojava is my red line
Altan said that Abdullah Öcalan has described Rojava as his “red line,” and continued as follows: “In other words, the Kurds will not step back from the status they have there. Turkey’s excessive intervention in the situation means that it does not want the process to move forward, and this would produce a result that no one desires. In fact, the failure to take the necessary steps has already made the process this fragile. However, the issue of Rojava is an even deeper reason. For this reason, everyone needs to act more carefully on this matter.”
There are steps the state must take in the second phase
Serdar Altan also referred to Abdullah Öcalan’s statement that “the first phase has ended, and we have moved to the second phase.”
Altan said, “This means the following. Mr. Öcalan is trying to move the process forward despite all the obstacles and attempts to contaminate the process. Up to now, he has played a role in opening the way at many points where the process had become blocked and has managed to push it forward.
Let us not forget this: Mr. Öcalan approaches the issue strategically and aims to achieve peace. At the same time, he is trying to bring about a transformation within the Freedom Movement. He is presenting a new model to the Kurds. He is also making efforts to establish peace among the peoples of the Middle East. His intervention in the chaos in Syria is an example of this.”
Altan said that the second phase can be described as a process of integration and that there are steps the state must take for this to happen. He said: “In fact, it should not simply be seen as taking steps. After all, this is a negotiation process, and the parties make plans not only according to expectations but also according to the conjuncture. We need to look at it like this: Would an environment of peace benefit Turkey? Yes, it would be. The silencing of weapons and the discussion of the issue on a political ground would harm no one. In that case, whatever needs to be done must be done urgently. For this reason, the Turkish state must fulfill its responsibility as soon as possible.”
We must focus on the freedom laws outlined by Öcalan
Altan assessed the steps that need to be taken as follows: “If you ask what steps should be taken, it is a broad issue. However, we should focus on what Mr. Öcalan has described as the ‘freedom laws.’ The key question is whether these will be implemented or not. A decision must be made on this. The parliamentary commission has presented its report, even if it is insufficient. Within this framework, taking into account the recommendations mentioned there, Parliament must convene and adopt these laws as soon as possible.
The rest are the issues we describe as steps toward democratization; these are matters that should naturally take place throughout the process. These include issues such as the trustees appointed to municipalities, the release of politicians, and the democratization of politics. From this point on, the Kurds will not accept even the slightest step backward. Mr. Öcalan is also working toward this.”
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