The 12th Extraordinary Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was described by delegate Şiyar Amed as a new beginning. He stated: “The congress was the most meaningful response to President Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society.”

According to Amed, the congress marked the start of a new struggle to build democratic and communal socialism. He said: “This process represents not only a pivotal moment in the history of the PKK, but also the opening of a new horizon for the Kurdish people and all the peoples of the Middle East.”

Şiyar Amed’s full remarks were as follows: “The congress to dissolve the organization and end the armed struggle was the most meaningful response to Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society. First and foremost, the congress saluted the resistance of President Öcalan. With complete unity, it responded to his call. At the same time, this call was met with great enthusiasm and excitement for a new phase. A strong sense of determination emerged. Therefore, it is clear that this congress represented loyalty to Abdullah Öcalan and a full embrace of the process he initiated. It was a congress that responded to and claimed ownership of that process.

The congress became a space where the struggle of the PKK, now in its 47th year, and the 52-year struggle of President Öcalan were fully and clearly embraced. From the first congress to today, from the first martyrs to the present, every stage of this history and all the values produced through it were upheld with firm and resolute commitment.

From Haki Karer to comrades Fuat and Rıza, to the most recent martyrs of the Zap resistance, all were commemorated with deep respect. At the same time, the congress affirmed its determination to fulfill their dreams and aspirations by advancing the construction of democratic communal socialism in this new era. This was declared as the most genuine response to their memory. It should also be noted that the language of peace, democracy, dialogue, and reconciliation, developed and deepened through the great efforts of the esteemed Sırrı Süreyya Önder, was a defining feature of the congress. His efforts, values, and tireless work were acknowledged and honored. This should be stated clearly.

Although the congress formally declared the dissolution of the PKK and the end of the armed struggle, it did not mark an end, but a beginning. It symbolized the conclusion of one historical phase and the opening of a new one. A new horizon has emerged for the region, for international solidarity, and for global struggles. When one compares the first congress to this one, the former represented the tearing up of the death sentence issued against the Kurds, while the latter represents the closure of that chapter and the beginning of a process to realize freedom. It expresses the end of one era and the birth of another.

This new process calls on the Kurdish people, the Turkish people, all peoples living in Turkey, and the peoples of the Middle East to unite in struggle and build a democratic and peaceful society. We are speaking of a Middle East that has been turned into a field of fire. The process that President Öcalan is trying to foster with a language of democratic reconciliation marks the start of a new phase for the region. We are truly entering a period that will witness major developments. Therefore, this congress can be described as one that will influence not only the Middle East, but also global politics.

The path for the struggle of democratic socialism will be opened

Of course, the decision to dissolve the organization and end the armed struggle alone will not bring about these developments. However, it removes the main justification used by global powers to continuously criminalize the existence of the PKK. Looking ahead, we are entering a period in which the ideas put forward by President Öcalan under the banner of democratic communal socialism will radiate throughout the world, becoming a source of great hope for humanity, like a new light, a new sun rising. This is the deeper meaning of the congress. It must be emphasized that this process is not what some narrow-minded or opportunistic actors claim it to be through their shallow propaganda. It cannot be reduced to such a simplistic view.

This congress should be seen as a moment in which the spirit of the PKK, its libertarian and communal essence, initiated a new phase of social construction. It opened the path for the struggle for democratic communal socialism. In this sense, we are stepping closer to realizing the dreams, hopes, and goals to which our martyrs dedicated their lives. We are also entering a new phase, having overcome many obstacles that once stood in our way.

President Öcalan has opened new doors. We hope that all relevant forces will correctly interpret and respond to these opportunities. For us, this moment demands even greater responsibility and seriousness. We must work harder than ever before. To build democratic communal socialism, we must become more integrated with society than ever before. And we must move this process forward using the language of democratic dialogue and reconciliation that Sırrı Süreyya Önder has long championed.

The coming period is the time to achieve freedom

The spirit and language of President Öcalan truly defined the atmosphere of the congress. With great sensitivity and a deep sense of responsibility, the congress was conducted entirely based on dialogue and reconciliation. In this sense, the congress fulfilled its duty. What lies ahead now is the responsibility of all of us, of the entire society, to embrace the spirit that emerged from the congress and to advance the new communal struggle with greater belief and determination. This is truly the period for creating and building freedom. The system built upon the denial of Kurdish identity has now been severely fractured. In this regard, we can speak of an ideological victory for President Öcalan.

But the period ahead is about achieving and securing freedom. If the congress is understood from this perspective, its significance becomes clear. Otherwise, reducing it to a narrow interpretation, as if it were merely the dissolution of an organization due to failure, would be far from the truth. Of course, the achievements of the PKK over its 47-year struggle cannot be fully listed or even described. Our people know this better than anyone. In this new era, the struggle will move forward with the aim of securing the freedom of the Kurdish people and introducing all of humanity to the horizon of democratic socialism. We are entering a period in which the international character of the struggle will be embraced not only by intellectuals, artists, and philosophers, but also by all peoples, ecological movements, women’s liberation movements, and youth movements committed to freedom.

The struggle for democratic socialism will be openly supported

Until now, global powers have continuously used the name of the PKK as a pretext to block the development of democratic movements. Whenever an action was taken in the name of the PKK, they responded with laws aimed at criminalizing and suppressing it. Now that this justification has been stripped of its power, we are entering a new era in which all forces of democratic modernity across the world will openly embrace the struggle for democratic socialism, organize around it, and grow into mass movements. We are witnessing the excitement of this new era.

That excitement, morale, and energy were clearly present at the congress. Of course, this congress did not complete everything. The next stage involves building the democratic communal struggle. What will be its language, method, and tone? What has been achieved, and what remains to be done? How should we proceed from now on? These discussions will certainly continue.

Such discussions must take place in every field but let us be clear: the PKK congress was not one that contradicted its core values. On the contrary, it was a congress that embraced and defended its democratic and revolutionary principles. It placed these values at the foundation of the next phase of struggle and committed to building the new era upon them. In this sense, its success is complete. We say: may it be a blessing for our people and for all of humanity.