Sabri Ok, a member of the KCK Executive Council, answered journalists' questions following a press conference in Qandil where the Leadership of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement announced the withdrawal of guerrilla units from Turkey to the Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

 

Responding to a question about the transitional law mentioned in the declaration, Ok said, “This work, which has been carried out so far with important steps to ensure that the process develops safely in the manner desired and expected by our peoples, also requires certain temporary legal measures to be taken. In return for what we have done so far as a movement, we should be able to see something happen in the legal sphere, or certain legal steps taken as part of the transition process. It is still a process, not a completed one. As steps are taken, the process will gain momentum. We also demand special laws specific to the PKK or the process. This is not an amnesty; it is a 50-year struggle that has come to this point. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan), we are at a very important stage. There could be some special laws and amendments specific to this. It is unique and special. It is natural for everyone, including the public, to ask what these very important steps will bring, what developments they will lead to, and it is reasonable to have expectations. We hope that the relevant parties and authorities, including the Turkish state, will consider these issues and fulfill their responsibilities."

 

‘ÖCALAN MUST GAIN HIS PHYSICAL FREEDOM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’

 

Asked about their expectations from Turkey, Sabri Ok stated: “The Kurdish question is without precedent in the history of peoples' resistance. No leader of a people, a force, or a movement has ever negotiated peace and solutions from prison conditions. Those concerned must be able to do so under free conditions. They must be directly free. Leader Apo has not yet gained his physical freedom. Still, he is fulfilling a historic responsibility. Leader Apo, as widely discussed in the public sphere, must gain his physical freedom as soon as possible."

 

‘THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION HAS NOT FULLY PLAYED ITS ROLE’

 

Responding to a question regarding the work of the Parliamentary Commission, Ok stated: "It was an important step, a significant one, to form a commission composed of many parties. It was directly named and given meaning. We also consider it important. So far, we do not evaluate its work negatively, but it has not fully played its role. It has heard many movements and formations outside our movement and civil society. The Parliamentary Commission should meet with Leader Apo as soon as possible and listen to him; that is the main thing. Leader Apo is the one who initiated and is leading the process, so he should be heard as soon as possible. Our expectation is that everyone will fulfill their role."

 

Sabri Ok continued, “The Turkish state makes statements from time to time. This is a struggle, as stated in our announcement. We don't expect everything from them; struggle is necessary, and everyone must fulfill their responsibilities. We believe there will be positive effects.”

 

When asked, “What if Ankara does not fulfill the requirements of your statement?” he replied, “Let's think positively. Our expectation is that everyone will fulfill their responsibilities in response to this historic step we have taken in this process.”

 

‘WE EXPECT THOSE CONCERNED TO FULFILL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES’

 

Sabri Ok also answered a question regarding the expectations for the withdrawal of the Turkish state from Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) following this historic step by the Kurdistan Freedom Movement: "After 50 years of war, history, sociology, and the current state of the world, Leader Apo proposes a new paradigm for politics, taking Kurdistan into account. We are continuing our struggle on this basis. Our expectation is that those concerned will fulfill their responsibilities. If this is done, it will have an impact on Southern Kurdistan and the Middle East as well. We are insistent; everyone, including the Turkish state, must fulfill their responsibilities."

 

‘ÖCALAN MUST LIVE AND WORK FREELY’

 

In response to the question “What if there is no response to this step?”, Sabri Ok stated: “We do not want to envisionsuch a thing. Resolving the Kurdish question is impossible under Leader Apo's prison conditions. He must live and work freely. His physical freedom must be ensured.”