In a move welcomed by international observers, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has declared a unilateral ceasefire after a protracted four decades of conflict with Türkiye. UN experts have lauded the decision as a “significant step” toward achieving lasting peace and fostering reconciliation within the region. This move comes amidst a historical backdrop that has claimed over 40,000 lives since the conflict’s inception in 1984.
The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by several entities including Türkiye, the US, and the EU, seeks greater autonomy for Kurds in the southeastern region of Türkiye. The United Nations has emphasized the importance of this gesture, describing it as a potential catalyst for opening dialogue between the opposing parties. Experts from the UN, including members from the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, have urged the Turkish government to use this opportunity as a means to halt further military operations and focus on addressing the deeper underlying causes of the conflict.
Moreover, both the PKK and Türkiye are encouraged to enable investigations into allegations of human rights violations caused by both state and non-state actors. Referring to the ceasefire as an “opportunity that must not be squandered,” the experts reiterated the need for pursuing peaceful negotiations, supporting long-term reconciliation, and ensuring accountability. Though there have been past attempts at peace, such as the 2013 ceasefire, which eventually ended in renewed violence, the current ceasefire holds hope for a foundational shift towards long-lasting peace.
Despite the ceasefire, concerns have arisen as reports indicate ongoing hostilities. The experts have also called on the Turkish government to engage actively with civil society and Kurdish representatives in any prospective peace processes, highlighting Türkiye’s obligations in conforming to international human rights and humanitarian law. However, as of now, there has been no official response from Türkiye regarding the UN experts’ call for action. For a deeper insight into the conflict, the Council on Foreign Relations provides an extensive backgrounder on the historical struggle.