Mixed reactions in Netherlands as Kurdish militant group ends armed activity

A recent announcement by the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, to end its armed campaign has sparked mixed reactions from the Kurdish community in the Netherlands. While some express hope for a peaceful resolution, others remain cautious, particularly about how Turkey may respond.

Latif Tali, a Rotterdam district council member and representative of the approximately 100,000 Kurdish people in the Netherlands, welcomed the PKK's decision but emphasized that it is still too early to predict the outcome. “In my environment, the decision is received positively, and people are hopeful about the will from the Kurdish side,” Tali said. “But people are still waiting to see what happens next.”

PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s pledge to end the armed activity is seen as a potential step toward peace. However, uncertainty remains about how Turkey will respond. Tali noted that many Kurdish activists, mayors, and parliamentarians remain imprisoned under Turkey's anti-terrorism laws and suggested that an important first step for the Turkish government would be the release of these detainees.

The Kurdish Community Council in the Netherlands, DemNed, also expressed cautious optimism. Chairman Hüseyin Yildiz said, “We are very happy that there is a chance to reach a solution without bloodshed.” However, he echoed Tali’s concerns, stressing the need for international support to encourage the Turkish government to pursue a peaceful resolution. “International support is crucial to encourage the Turkish government to come to a peaceful solution for the Kurdish issue,” Yildiz said.

Joost Jongerden, a sociologist and associate professor at Wageningen University, cautioned against excessive optimism regarding the PKK’s announcement. He pointed out that the PKK’s decision to disband includes conditions that should temper any overenthusiastic expectations.

“The decision has been made, but the PKK has included a reservation,” Jongerden explained. He noted that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999, must lead the disbandment process, and the group is seeking legal guarantees, including recognition of Kurdish identity, the right to education in the Kurdish language, the release of political prisoners, and improvements to Öcalan’s prison conditions.

Jongerden, who has conducted extensive research on the PKK, expressed skepticism about the potential for peace, recalling past failed peace attempts. “In 2013 and 2014, there seemed to be a peace agreement, and the PKK even announced an end to its armed activity and a new era of democratic politics,” he said. “In 2015, they even planned a congress to officially dissolve, but then Turkey restarted the conflict and refused to continue the peace process.”

Despite these setbacks, Jongerden acknowledged that the PKK has historically been willing to make the first move toward peace. “The PKK has always been ready to make the first move, and they expect Turkey to also take action,” he said.