Turkey: Dialogue with the PKK - Is peace in sight?

On July 11, 2026, amid temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, a conference was held in Diyarbakir, Turkey, bringing together human rights advocates, academics, politicians, and citizens to discuss the peace process between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The event, organized by the city administration and the Human Rights Association (IHD), took place exactly one year after the symbolic disarmament of the PKK. IHD President Cihan Aydın highlighted the deep scars left by more than four decades of conflict and proposed designating July 11 as an official day of peace. He emphasized the importance of fostering a living memory culture to aid reconciliation and prevent future conflicts. The conference focused on lessons learned from countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Colombia, which have navigated their own peace processes. Aydın called for a comprehensive solution addressing all affected parties, PKK members, political prisoners, and Kurds in the diaspora, and stressed the need to address the future of Abdullah Öcalan, the long-imprisoned PKK leader. Öcalan has become a central figure in the current peace talks, with his recent public appearances marking a shift in his status from a perceived terrorist to a key player in negotiations. Öcalan, who has been incarcerated since 1999 on the island of Imrali, issued a call for the PKK to lay down its arms and dissolve itself in February 2025. The organization heeded this appeal, and in July 2025, a group of high-ranking PKK members symbolically burned their weapons. This move prompted the Turkish Parliament to establish a commission comprising around 140 representatives from politics and civil society, including human rights activists and families of soldiers, veterans, and prisoners. Based on the commission's final report, the government is now working on drafting the initial legal framework for the peace process. Meanwhile, the Kurdish side demands amendments to anti-terrorism and criminal laws, the release of Öcalan and other political prisoners, and solutions for numerous deposed Kurdish mayors. While the Turkish government has shown openness to granting amnesty to uninvolved PKK members, it has yet to make specific commitments regarding the release of Öcalan or how to handle fighters involved in armed clashes. Ankara insists that the PKK must fully disarm and dissolve before considering further concessions. However, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has recently adopted a more moderate stance. Aret Demirci, head of the Istanbul office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, described the progress made so far as "cautiously positive." Just a year ago, it seemed unlikely that the PKK would declare its dissolution and send such a clear signal through the burning of weapons. "This development marks a historical turning point," he said. Unlike previous peace initiatives, this process has not collapsed in its early stages. At the same time, Demirci warned against overestimating the achievements thus far. Central political questions remain largely unaddressed. While the Turkish government continues to push for complete disarmament of the PKK, the Kurdish side expects political and legal guarantees during the process. These differing expectations are likely to pose the greatest challenge in the coming months. Öcalan himself has expressed cooperation, stating in a recent declaration that the peace process requires mutual trust and commitment. His evolving role from a state enemy to a pivotal figure underscores the complexity of the situation. As both sides continue to navigate these challenges, the path toward lasting peace remains uncertain, shaped by ongoing negotiations and the delicate balance of interests on both sides.