NEWS CENTER – The video message from Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan—his first in 26 years—has made headlines across global media.

 

Abdullah Öcalan delivered a historic video message from İmralı Prison, marking his first public appearance in over two decades. His call has drawn widespread attention in the international press, particularly his emphasis on “democratic transition” and the proposal to establish a parliamentary commission.

 

EMPHASIS ON ‘DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION’

 

Reuters highlighted Öcalan’s call for a full transition to democratic politics. The agency described the PKK’s congress decision as “a historic moment,” drawing attention to Öcalan’s proposal for a commission in parliament to oversee the disarmament process.

 

France’s public broadcaster Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported the news with the headline: “PKK leader announces disarmament will be implemented swiftly.” The article quoted Öcalan: “This is a voluntary transition from the phase of armed conflict to a phase of democracy and law. (…) The procedures for disarmament will be defined and promptly put into practice.”

 

BBC underlined Öcalan’s statements on a “peaceful resolution” and “democratic transition.” The piece noted that high-ranking PKK officials supported the declaration and that some positive responses came from Europe, while Ankara had yet to issue an official reaction.

 

The Independent focused on Öcalan’s call for the establishment of a commission in parliament, quoting him as saying: “I believe not in the arms, but in the power of politics and social peace and call on you put this principle into practice.”

 

The news and analysis platform Devdiscourse titled its report: “Öcalan Calls for Democratic Transformation, PKK’s Armed Struggle Ends”, also emphasizing the call for a parliamentary commission.

 

Euronews presented the announcement by stating that the PKK movement had come to an end and that the disarmament process would begin imminently.

 

Both The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times also reported on the development, stressing Öcalan’s use of the term “democratic transition.”