Arminfo.info


 Monday, May 12 2025 12:52
Marianna Mkrtchyan

Kurdistan Workers` Party announces disarmament and dissolution

Kurdistan Workers` Party announces disarmament and dissolution

ArmInfo.  The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) appears to be moving toward disarmament and dissolution following its 12th congress earlier this week, fueling cautious optimism among pro-Kurdish parties in Turkey for a peaceful  resolution to the decades-long conflict between the PKK and the  Turkish state, and a renewed momentum for advancing Kurdish rights  through political means, Rudaw reports.     Held from May 5 to 7, the congress came in response to a rare  February message from jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who urged  the group to decide on laying down arms and disbanding. The call,  relayed by Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party  (DEM Party), revived hope for ending a conflict that has claimed more  than 40,000 lives since the 1980s.  

In recent months, the DEM Party had taken the lead in efforts to  mediate between Ankara and the PKK.  This included meetings with  Turkish officials and attempts to communicate with Ocalan, who has  been imprisoned on Imrali Island since 1999.  

Speaking to Rudaw on Saturday, DEM Party lawmaker Saliha Aydeniz  emphasized that "[concrete] steps should now be taken [to support]  the existence of the Kurdish people and language, and for self-  governance." 

"These are all demands of the Kurdish people, and they are also  reflected in Mr. Ocalan's [late February] appeal [to the PKK]," she  said.  

Fellow DEM Party lawmaker, Sinan Ciftyurek, echoed Aydeniz's  sentiment, telling Rudaw that the Turkish state must act on the  Kurdish identity.  

"The [Turkish] state needs to take steps, it can no longer say 'I  cannot take steps on the Kurdish issue because of the [PKK] weapons.'  It should go ahead and take steps," Ciftyurek stressed.  

Ciftyurek called for Kurdish to be recognized as "an official and  educational language, for the Kurdish question to be addressed in  parliament, and for Kurdish identity to be acknowledged in the   constitution." 

A statement from the PKK congress committee on Friday reported that  "the congress was held simultaneously in two separate locations, with  delegates representing all operational areas" - an indirect reference  to border regions of the Kurdistan Region near Turkey and Iran, where  the PKK is said to be headquartered.  

The statement added that the PKK made the decision to disarm and  disband and that the results will be shared with the public "very  soon." It further urged for "the physical freedom" of Ocalan, who has  been jailed at Turkey's Imrali prison since 1999.  

Turkey's Socialist Party of Kurdistan (PSK) on Saturday welcomed the  PKK's anticipated disarmament, saying it could foster a more  favorable climate for Kurds across the region, including the  Kurdistan Region and northeast Syria (Rojava).  

However, the PSK's General President Bayram Bozyel told Rudaw on  Saturday that the disarmament alone would not guarantee Kurdish  rights and that the Turkish state did not pledge that "if the PKK  lays down its arms, it will grant Kurdish rights." 

"That's not how politics works." Bozyel stressed that real progress  requires persistent political struggle and is also "influenced by  [broader] external dynamics."  

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Catholicos of all Armenians and head of office of pioneers of  Echmiadzin violated vow of celibacy - premier Catholicos of all Armenians and head of office of pioneers of  Echmiadzin violated vow of celibacy - premier 
Russian Embassy in  Armenia provides guide for Russians on leaving  Iran via ArmeniaRussian Embassy in  Armenia provides guide for Russians on leaving  Iran via Armenia
CCBE addresses letter to Armenia`s premier CCBE addresses letter to Armenia`s premier 
Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan taken into custody Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan taken into custody 
Russian Foreign Ministry: Armenia`s leader was offering businesses to  invest in the country, and now he wants to nationalize the electric  networksRussian Foreign Ministry: Armenia`s leader was offering businesses to  invest in the country, and now he wants to nationalize the electric  networks
Pan-Armenian Council of Diplomats in defense of businessman and  entrepreneur Samvel KarapetyanPan-Armenian Council of Diplomats in defense of businessman and  entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan
High-Tech Ministry  amending Audiovisual Media Law to regulate cable  TV content High-Tech Ministry  amending Audiovisual Media Law to regulate cable  TV content 
Geghard Foundation files a complain to the Russian Academy of  Sciences regarding violations of academic  and scientific ethical  standards Geghard Foundation files a complain to the Russian Academy of  Sciences regarding violations of academic  and scientific ethical  standards 
Ararat Mirzoyan: It is regrettable to note that tension between Iran  and Israel  is escalatingArarat Mirzoyan: It is regrettable to note that tension between Iran  and Israel  is escalating
RA Foreign Minister: Armenia considers Moscow`s statements as direct  interference in its internal affairsRA Foreign Minister: Armenia considers Moscow`s statements as direct  interference in its internal affairs
Pashinyan urges ENA employees to cooperate with law enforcement officers if they want to remain with the company Pashinyan urges ENA employees to cooperate with law enforcement officers if they want to remain with the company 
Grigoryan: Issues related to Iranian-Israeli conflict and its  possible impact on Armenia are closely monitoredGrigoryan: Issues related to Iranian-Israeli conflict and its  possible impact on Armenia are closely monitored
Pashinyan: My next meeting with families and friends of missing  soldiers to take place in 2 monthsPashinyan: My next meeting with families and friends of missing  soldiers to take place in 2 months
Armenia`s President  visits  UK Ambassador`s residence Armenia`s President  visits  UK Ambassador`s residence 
Artsakh Parliament does not nominate a candidate for NKR presidency  due to  internal political challengesArtsakh Parliament does not nominate a candidate for NKR presidency  due to  internal political challenges
Karapetyan`s press service issues a statement regarding the businessman`s prosecution Karapetyan`s press service issues a statement regarding the businessman`s prosecution 
Food Safety Inspectorate conducts inspections at 30 Pizza Tashir  cafes, one establishment closedFood Safety Inspectorate conducts inspections at 30 Pizza Tashir  cafes, one establishment closed
Investigative Committee: Samvel Karapetyan publicly called for the  seizure of powerInvestigative Committee: Samvel Karapetyan publicly called for the  seizure of power
Armenia`s electricity network situation carries risks for national  security - political scientistArmenia`s electricity network situation carries risks for national  security - political scientist
Pashinyan addresses rumors, primarily spread  by members of his team,  that the <hand of the Kremlin> is evident in  Samvel Karapetyan`s  actionsPashinyan addresses rumors, primarily spread  by members of his team,  that the is evident in  Samvel Karapetyan`s  actions
Pashinyan dismisses claims of a threat to Syunik as <provocative>  amid rising tensions in Iranian-Israeli conflictPashinyan dismisses claims of a threat to Syunik as   amid rising tensions in Iranian-Israeli conflict
Armenia`s Court of Appeal upholds Artsakh Defense Army ex-  commander`s verdict Armenia`s Court of Appeal upholds Artsakh Defense Army ex-  commander`s verdict 
Ardshinbank Continues to Expand Its Network of Modern BranchesArdshinbank Continues to Expand Its Network of Modern Branches
Pashinyan considers it beneath his dignity to comment on statements  made by Maria Zakharova and Vladimir SolovyovPashinyan considers it beneath his dignity to comment on statements  made by Maria Zakharova and Vladimir Solovyov
I think I have evidence of celibacy violations by AAC clergy,  Pashinyan saidI think I have evidence of celibacy violations by AAC clergy,  Pashinyan said
Samvel Karapetyan is accused of Samvel Karapetyan is accused of "publicly calling for the seizure of  power" in the country - defense team
Haykaz Fanyan warns about risks that Armenia may encounter in its  attempt to nationalize Haykaz Fanyan warns about risks that Armenia may encounter in its  attempt to nationalize "Electric Networks"
Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan charged with public  calls for seizure of power Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan charged with public  calls for seizure of power 
Yesterday`s events show Armenian authorities` failure - Samvel  Karapetyan Yesterday`s events show Armenian authorities` failure - Samvel  Karapetyan 
Bill on nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia submitted to  parliament - premier Bill on nationalization of Electric Networks of Armenia submitted to  parliament - premier 
No one can threaten Armenia - premier No one can threaten Armenia - premier 
What happened to businessman Samvel Karapetyan unprecedented case -  ex-official What happened to businessman Samvel Karapetyan unprecedented case -  ex-official 
Samvel Karapetyan`s support for AAC prompted Armenia premier to crack  down on businessman  - Armenia faction Samvel Karapetyan`s support for AAC prompted Armenia premier to crack  down on businessman  - Armenia faction 
Electric Network of Armenia can be quickly nationalized - premier Electric Network of Armenia can be quickly nationalized - premier 
Armenian authorities` attacks on Garegin II inadmissible - Russian  Orthodox Church Armenian authorities` attacks on Garegin II inadmissible - Russian  Orthodox Church 
Searches in Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan`s home kind of  Searches in Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan`s home kind of  "black mark" on him from Pashinyan - Russian MP
Criminal charges brought against Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel  Karapetyan Criminal charges brought against Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel  Karapetyan 
Brothers Karapetyan leave police department Brothers Karapetyan leave police department 
Armenia`s premier dismisses NSS head Armenia`s premier dismisses NSS head 
International Human Rights Committee draws RA Prosecutor General`s  attention to law-enforcers` actions International Human Rights Committee draws RA Prosecutor General`s  attention to law-enforcers` actions 
Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan detained in YerevanArmenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan detained in Yerevan
Armenian NA speaker reacts to Russian journalist`s support for  Armenian-Russian businessmen Samvel KarapetyanArmenian NA speaker reacts to Russian journalist`s support for  Armenian-Russian businessmen Samvel Karapetyan
Zakharova on the situation around Samvel Karapetyan: Moscow is  closely following the developments and will provide the necessary  assistanceZakharova on the situation around Samvel Karapetyan: Moscow is  closely following the developments and will provide the necessary  assistance
Iranian Ambassador thanks Armenia for its stance on  Israeli  aggressionIranian Ambassador thanks Armenia for its stance on  Israeli  aggression
Statement: RPA strongly condemns regime`s actions  against Samvel  KarapetyanStatement: RPA strongly condemns regime`s actions  against Samvel  Karapetyan
Mother See of Etchmiadzin urges Armenian authorities to stop  Samvel  Karapetyan`s persecution immediatelyMother See of Etchmiadzin urges Armenian authorities to stop  Samvel  Karapetyan`s persecution immediately
Alen Simonyan: No one is detained without reasonAlen Simonyan: No one is detained without reason
Samvel Karapetyan: I will fight for shrines of  Armenian people with  all my strengthSamvel Karapetyan: I will fight for shrines of  Armenian people with  all my strength
Samvel Karapetyan`s brother: Everything that was said was said  correctlySamvel Karapetyan`s brother: Everything that was said was said  correctly
Iran-Israel conflict creates serious risks for Azerbaijani capital as  well - expertIran-Israel conflict creates serious risks for Azerbaijani capital as  well - expert
 Sargsyan: Prolongation of Iranian-Israeli conflict may have  unpredictable consequences for Armenia Sargsyan: Prolongation of Iranian-Israeli conflict may have  unpredictable consequences for Armenia
Head of  Tashir Group Companies spoke out against  authorities`  anti-church campaign  and was subsequently detained by law  enforcement officersHead of  Tashir Group Companies spoke out against  authorities`  anti-church campaign  and was subsequently detained by law  enforcement officers
Kapan to host International Music Festival Kapan Fest-2025 3rd timeKapan to host International Music Festival Kapan Fest-2025 3rd time
What preliminary conditions will Pashinyan agree to during his  meeting with ErdoganWhat preliminary conditions will Pashinyan agree to during his  meeting with Erdogan
Samvel Karapetyan is not ruling out interference in Armenian  authorities` anti-church campaign  Samvel Karapetyan is not ruling out interference in Armenian  authorities` anti-church campaign  
US failure in negotiations with Russia and Iran will weaken their  influence in the South Caucasus - expertUS failure in negotiations with Russia and Iran will weaken their  influence in the South Caucasus - expert
Alen Simonyan confirms: Pashinyan going to Turkey at the invitation  of ErdoganAlen Simonyan confirms: Pashinyan going to Turkey at the invitation  of Erdogan
Armenian authorities are assessing potential risks arising from the  situation around Iran - Vice-SpeakerArmenian authorities are assessing potential risks arising from the  situation around Iran - Vice-Speaker
Alen Simonyan touches upon risks facing Armenia, particularly Syunik  region, due to  Iran-Israel conflictAlen Simonyan touches upon risks facing Armenia, particularly Syunik  region, due to  Iran-Israel conflict
The President of Turkmenistan left for the Republic of Kazakhstan on a working visitThe President of Turkmenistan left for the Republic of Kazakhstan on a working visit
Read more



Commented