NEWS CENTER -  The Movement stated that the weapon-burning ceremony was intended to demonstrate its commitment to embracing a strategy of democratic politics, saying: "Building a democratic Turkey in which our peoples can live together freely on the basis of democratic integration is the responsibility of us all.”

 

The Movement Leadership issued a written statement marking the first anniversary of the weapon-burning ceremony held on July 11, 2025. In the statement, published by Fırat News Agency, the Leadership said it was once again reaffirming its commitment to a strategy of democratic political struggle. 

 

The statement said the state had not responded to the steps that had been taken, adding: "Today marks the first anniversary of the weapon-burning ceremony held on July 11, 2025. On July 11 last year, KCK Executive Council Co-Chair Besê Hozat and 29 others burned their weapons in front of the historic Cesena Cave near Sulaymaniyah. The ceremony, held before a large gathering of journalists, was closely watched around the world and was regarded as an important step toward a democratic-political resolution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.

 

In his call for Peace and a Democratic Society issued on February 27, 2025, Rêber (Leader) Apo set out powerfully both the causes of the Kurdish issue and the path toward its resolution. He stressed that the time had come for a democratic solution based on recognition of the Kurdish people's existence. To help make this possible, he called for the dissolution of the PKK and an end to the armed struggle against Turkey. Following this call, we declared a ceasefire on March 1, 2025. The PKK held its 12th Congress on May 5-7, where it decided to dissolve the organization and end the armed struggle against Turkey. The congress also decided that the implementation of these decisions would be carried out under the leadership of  Rêber Apo.

 

In line with these decisions, our Executive Council Co-Chair Besê Hozat and her comrades burned their weapons to demonstrate their determination and commitment to changing strategy and embracing a strategy of democratic politics. Besê Hozat’s role as the Executive Council Co-Chair in leading this group was intended to demonstrate the Movement’s firm commitment to this strategy of democratic politics. The weapon-burning ceremony was also held as a symbol of this strategic shift. 

 

Our comrade Besê Hozat, who led the group of 30, stated that the political and legal conditions outlined by Rêber Apo in his February 27 call needed to be met in order for this strategic shift to be put into practice. The weapon-burning ceremony also served as a declaration that there would be no return to the strategy of armed struggle. In response to this clear expression of intent, the Turkish state should have taken the political and legal measures necessary for the implementation of the strategy of democratic politics. However, no such steps have been taken over the past year. 

 

INSISTENCE ON LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Over the past year, our Freedom Movement has taken unilateral steps to ensure that the necessary political and legal requirements are met. KCK Executive Council Member Sabri Ok’s public announcement that the guerrilla forces had withdrawn beyond Turkey’s borders and left areas where there was a risk of confrontation was also intended to create the conditions for the Turkish state to take legal and political steps. While our Freedom Movement acted responsibly, the state neither took any steps nor created the social conditions necessary for a democratic political solution. The negative perceptions that had been cultivated in the past toward Rêber Apo and the Freedom Movement have also been deliberately maintained. 

 

OUR EFFORTS HAVE NOT BEEN RECIPROCATED

 

Although President Erdoğan, Devlet Bahçeli and some AKP officials have at times made statements expressing support for the process and saying that it is moving forward, those statements have not been matched by action. Although one year has passed since the weapon-burning ceremony, no progress has been made on the political or legal front. This has raised concerns and doubts about the government’s intentions among Kurds, as well as in public opinion in Turkey and internationally. Despite these concerns and doubts, on the first anniversary of the weapon-burning ceremony we continue to insist on the strategy of democratic political struggle, while the government, through its policies and stance, has not reciprocated our commitment and efforts. 

 

DEBATE OVER THE FRAMEWORK LAW

 

Recently, there has been growing debate over whether the framework law proposed by Rêber Apo will be enacted. While no response has been given to Rêber Apo’s reasonable proposals, our Freedom Movement has likewise not been informed about the matter. Although Rêber Apo and our Movement are the parties most directly concerned by the proposed legislation, discussion of draft laws prepared unilaterally suggests that neither the issue nor the process is being treated with the seriousness it requires. More importantly, if the proposed law is limited solely to the issue of disarmament, it would indicate that a century-old problem is not being properly addressed. Such a law should, first and foremost, be a law that defines the status of Rêber Apo and the leading cadres of our Freedom Movement and paves the way for a resolution of the Kurdish issue. Claims that our Leader will be excluded from it amount to sabotaging the process of peace and democratic society. Both our people and our Movement have repeatedly made it clear that they will not accept any approach under which Rêber Apo is not free to live and work. This reality, above all, must be recognized in this process.

 

WE REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT

 

On the first anniversary of the July 11 weapon-burning ceremony, we, as the Freedom Movement, once again reaffirm our commitment to the strategy of democratic political struggle. The fact that the AKP-MHP government has not taken any steps despite a year having passed since the dissolution of the PKK and the end of the armed struggle does not represent a proper approach to the process. It is clear that we have adopted the most reasonable approach in the context of conflict resolution. It is well known that we have done so with the aim of ensuring that our peoples can live in freedom and democracy. Building a democratic Turkey in which our peoples can live together freely on the basis of democratic integration is the responsibility of us all. The Kurdish people and all the peoples of Turkey must fulfil their responsibilities in every respect to help build such a Turkey. For our part, in keeping with our responsibility to our peoples, we will continue to fulfil our responsibilities within the framework of Rêber Apo’s manifesto for a democratic society. 

 

10 July 2026

 

The Movement Leadership.”