Ibrahim Spindar, a legal expert from South Kurdistan (Başûrê Kurdistan), said Abdullah Öcalan’s letter marks a historic shift for Kurdish politics. As he evaluated Abdullah Öcalan’s 'Call for Peace and a Democratic Society' in an interview with ANF, he, firstly, respectfully saluted all guerrilla fighters and peshmerga forces fighting for the freedom of the Kurdish people.
Spindar said that Abdullah Öcalan’s letter offers a new perspective not only for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but for all Kurdish parties across the four parts of Kurdistan. He explained that these parties emerged during the era of a bipolar world order, saying that during that time, under the influence of both the socialist and capitalist blocs, the Kurdish people—like other oppressed nations—established their own political structures. He added that the PKK was founded during this period and carried out its struggle within that framework.
Spindar noted that in his letter, Mr. Öcalan draws attention to the ongoing transformation of the global system. He stated: "Mr. Öcalan explains that the old bipolar world order has been replaced by a tripolar system led by China, Russia, and the United States. Within this new global structure, he clearly emphasizes that Kurdish political parties must also change, evolve, and renew themselves."
**Both ruling systems in Turkey deny Kurdish existence**
Spindar stated that both the secular and Islamist systems are dominant in Turkey, and that each has maintained a policy of denial regarding the Kurdish people. He explained that no political space has been left for the recognition of Kurdish rights in the country: "The PKK emerged in such a climate, and thanks to the Kurdish people’s struggle, significant changes have taken place in Turkey. The Kurdish struggle has shifted public perception and forced the Turkish state to adapt its policies. Today, the state no longer relies solely on repression but also uses economic tools as a means of assimilation. In the past, it tried to discipline the Kurds of Northern Kurdistan (Bakûrê Kurdistan) through starvation; now, it seeks to weaken their national consciousness by using economic development as a weapon."
**Kurds will disarm for democracy**
Ibrahim Spindar stated that if a truly democratic environment were to emerge, Kurds could lay down their arms and engage in political struggle in line with the call for peace and a democratic society. However, he emphasized that armed struggle must remain an option on the table. He explained: “Today, power is what matters in the world. If you do not have power, you do not have a voice. We saw the clearest example of this in Rojava. Through the Rojava Revolution, Kurds became political actors in Syria. As a direct result of this power, they defeated ISIS—one of the world’s most dangerous organizations—and gained recognition from the international public."
Spindar further stated that the struggle in Rojava forced international powers to recognize the Kurds. He added: "Once labeled as terrorists, Kurds are now seen as forward-thinking people with democratic values. This transformation made it possible for global actors such as the United States to begin cooperating with the Kurds and to better understand their struggle."