After Abdullah Öcalan’s 27 February call for 'Peace and a Democratic Society,' the 12th Congress of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) convened and adopted historic decisions. These decisions not only brought new momentum to discussions on a democratic resolution of the Kurdish question but also garnered wide international attention. The resolutions passed at the congress are seen as capable of paving the way for a renewed peace process, and statements in support of this process have come from various international actors, especially across Europe.

These steps, which strengthen the path toward a peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kurdish question, have also led to calls for the Turkish state to take concrete and inclusive action. The growing international support and rising public expectation are delivering a clear message: this historic opportunity must not be missed.

Rémy Pagani, one of the supporters of the ongoing international campaign 'Freedom for Mr. Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question' and a prominent Swiss politician, spoke to ANF about the recent developments.

The PKK has taken a historic step

Rémy Pagani said that the decisions made at the 12th Congress of the PKK represent a historic step toward peace and emphasized that the Turkish state must now take responsibility for the process to succeed.

Pagani said: "I believe the PKK’s congress resolutions are an outstretched hand, a step toward peace and toward establishing respectful relations between the Kurds and the Turkish state. It remains unclear whether President Erdoğan will take steps toward the long-overdue recognition of the Kurdish people. Today, many elected Kurdish politicians and mayors are still in prison without any evidence, simply because they are Kurdish.

This process was initiated by Mr. Öcalan and the PKK, but it is now up to President Erdoğan and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to join it. The task of the Turkish Parliament and Erdoğan is to grasp the hand extended by the PKK and find a peace solution in which the Kurdish people can exist as a people, without being subjected to domination."

Democratization is essential

Rémy Pagani added that the success of the process depends on the democratization of the Turkish state and continued with the following remarks: "The foundation of this process must be democratization. The key question is whether Turkey will truly become a democratic state, and whether President Erdoğan and the Turkish state will change. We will have to wait and see. But in a country where politicians are still in prison, genuine democracy is inconceivable. Arresting elected officials is an extremely serious matter. It is a direct assault on the essence of democracy. Imprisoning legally and legitimately elected citizens and mayors, or appointing trustees in their place, is unacceptable. I have attended trials where many Kurdish politicians were prosecuted. The accusations against them are simply unacceptable. People are being held in prison for years without any charges. This has nothing to do with democracy. This is, in fact, a dictatorship.

If this process is to succeed, Mr. Erdoğan must return to democratic principles. What Erdoğan and the Turkish Parliament are doing can not be called democracy. Jailing members of parliament who were legally elected by popular vote is the definition of dictatorship. If there is a sincere intention to establish a legal and democratic framework, the first step must be to release everyone who has been unjustly and unlawfully imprisoned."

All rights must be guaranteed

Rémy Pagani also stressed the importance of legally guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the Kurdish people for the process to succeed. He stated: “The recognition of all rights of the Kurdish people must be one of the central issues of this process. For example, in Switzerland, let’s not say different peoples, but rather different languages, traditions, and political practices. All fundamental rights are guaranteed within a confederal structure and are respected. Right now, we are in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, but there is also a German-speaking region, and it would be absolutely unacceptable for French-speaking Swiss citizens to be subjected to any form of oppression or discrimination simply because of their language. Yet this is precisely what the Kurdish people experience, being rejected because of their distinct identity. For this reason, the Kurdish people must have the right to self-determination. That is the first condition of any true democracy."

Öcalan must be released in response to the PKK’s steps

Swiss politician Rémy Pagani stated that one of the most critical preconditions to the success of the process is the freedom of Mr. Öcalan. He said: "The precondition to any meaningful negotiation must be the release of Abdullah Öcalan. For many years, there has been no news from him, which is why I have participated in campaigns to support him and to draw attention to this unacceptable situation. I was very pleased to finally hear something from him recently. In light of the concrete decisions taken by the PKK, the very first step that must be taken is the release of Abdullah Öcalan."

Pagani added that the freedom of Mr. Öcalan would serve as a clear indication of the Turkish state’s sincerity in approaching the process: "Öcalan’s release would be a powerful signal that Erdoğan and the Turkish side are genuinely committed to peace and willing to enter serious negotiations. In the past, the Turkish state did hold some talks with the PKK, but unfortunately, they did not lead to any results. Today, I hope for peace in Kurdistan and in Turkey. The Turkish state must approach the process with seriousness, and the first step must be taken. That first step is the release of Abdullah Öcalan."

There are also risks in laying down arms

Swiss politician Rémy Pagani pointed out that when liberation movements lay down their arms, it can also bring certain dangers. He shared the following: "I traveled to Colombia to support the disarmament process of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). There were meetings with the Colombian government and the President of Colombia. The FARC approached the process positively and said, ‘We want to lay down our arms.’ Taking into account the promises that were made, the FARC’s guerrillas indeed disarmed entirely. But it later became clear that the government did not keep its promises. As a result, a segment of the FARC returned to armed struggle. This is where we are today, unfortunately, because the government failed to fulfill its obligations. That is why I believe peace processes in such situations are extremely complex. It always feels like standing at the edge of a cliff. If peace is truly the goal, both sides must make a genuine effort."