Commenting on Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" and the PKK's decision to dissolve and disarm in line with the call, Nayif Şemo, Co-Chair of the Democratic Autonomous Assembly of Shengal, noted that the call was effective in the international arena. 

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Şemo stated that Abdullah Öcalan mentioned the initiation of the democratic political process with the call. He said that Abdullah Öcalan did not look at the Kurdish issue as a family or tribal issue, but made great efforts to build a democratic society. "This call is a national, social call," said Şemo, "Leader Apo is making great efforts to build a democratic society. When we look at world examples, there are people who have been in power for a century and have made it their business to rule. However, Leader Apo's thought, idea and paradigm does not accept this and stands against it. He says that all existing systems in the world should be carried out democratically."

 

'THE MESSAGE IS NOT READ CORRECTLY'

 

Noting that the assessment that the call was made only to the PKK is wrong, Şemo said that only with the correct understanding and implementation of the call, everyone can reach their rights on an equal basis. 

 

"As a result of the fulfilment of this call, the peoples will be able to govern themselves. The issue is not only a matter of laying down arms. The evaluation and call made by Leader Apo today was also made many years ago. Leader  Apo again stated that the movement should lay down arms and dissolve and transform itself. If they read and see the call in depth, they will understand what is meant. The issue is not that the PKK has laid down arms and everyone should go home. The real struggle is just beginning," he said.

 

'EVERY RACE, EVERY RELIGION MUST BE RECOGNISED'

 

Stating that all peoples should be included in the new constitution that has not been discussed, Şemo said, "This process started thanks to Leader Apo. The Turkish state had to take a step. In the laws of Turkey, Kurdish is not recognised, Alevi belief is not recognised, other beliefs and races are not recognised. All different races are recognised as Turks. Now, in the new constitution to be formed, every different people should be recognised with their own identity. Time is needed for the new constitution to be formed. For this, NATO's permission is needed. Because they are close followers of this process. We believe that Leader Apo's freedom is near as the process reaches its goal."

 

'PKK WILL CONTINUE ITS STRUGGLE ON POLITICAL GROUND'

 

Stating that the PKK's decision to dissolve and disarm does not mean the end of the struggle, Şemo emphasised that the PKK will continue its struggle on democratic grounds and said, "The Autonomous Administration is not affiliated with the PKK. This administration was founded by Yazidis. We have a military force, and this is the YBŞ, which is affiliated to the Autonomous Administration. The rumours that the YBŞ will lay down arms in Shengal are not true, because their children are protecting the Yazidis. Now many people are making comments like 'PKK has laid down arms and will go home'. There is no such thing. The PKK is not only an armed organisation. It is an organisation that acts according to the ideology and ideas of Leader Apo. This idea will continue its struggle on political and legal grounds under democratic conditions."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut