Fifteen bar associations located in Kurdistan released a joint statement regarding the PKK’s decision to dissolve itself and lay down arms following its congress held from May 5–7, in response to Abdullah Öcalan's 'Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” made on February 27.

A statement titled 'We Must Build Positive Peace,' said: "The armed conflict process that our country, and especially our region, has endured for decades has caused immense suffering, deep social trauma, and severe human rights violations. In an environment where the right to life and bodily integrity were violated, freedoms were suspended, millions were displaced, and generations were raised in distrust and polarization, society has achieved nothing but loss."

Laying down arms is not enough

The statement added: "In this context, the PKK’s decision to end its armed activities and dissolve its organizational structure represents, for us, a historic milestone and a development that could open the door to a new social era.

As regional bar associations, we see the silencing of weapons and the end of violence in all its forms as a positive development for social peace and democratic life. However, we also emphasize that peace is not merely the absence of conflict—it also requires the construction of a system where problems are resolved and safeguarded rationally.

We are aware that lasting and restorative peace cannot be achieved by simply laying down arms."

What must be done

The bar associations outlined the necessary steps to take as follows:

"Protection of fundamental rights and respect for them as a basis for establishing a democratic social order,

Ensuring freedom of thought, expression, and association without exposure to repression or the threat of punishment,

Ending practices that violate equal citizenship and enacting legal and constitutional arrangements to strengthen equal citizenship,

Implementing restorative justice, confronting past serious human rights violations, and activating effective mechanisms to establish justice,

Removing the threat of criminalization from political activities and expressions, ending trustee appointments, and respecting the will of the people,

Enacting necessary legal regulations for seriously ill prisoners with respect to human dignity and the right to health, and addressing the legal status of former members of the organization who have laid down arms."

Positive peace

The statement continued: "To turn the longing felt by millions yearning for peace into lasting happiness, the transformation from negative peace to positive peace is a vital necessity. A Turkey that achieves positive peace and democratization will undoubtedly reach an inspiring level of social development and prosperity for all of us.

As bar associations that advocate for a shared and dignified life on these lands, we respectfully declare to the public that we will continue to stand on the side of a democratic solution, universal human rights, and social peace."

The following bar associations signed the statement: Adiyaman, Agrî, Batman, Bingöl, Bitlis, Dersim, Amed, Hakkari, Kars, Muş, Siirt, Idır, Urfa, Şirnak, Van.