Renowned intellectuals and political thinkers from around the world have voiced their support for Abdullah Öcalan’s call and the evolving peace process in Turkey.
Following Mr. Öcalan’s historic declaration on February 27, which called for a democratic and peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question, a wave of international support began to emerge. Since March, a number of prominent figures have issued public statements in response to this call. The process gained further momentum in May, when the PKK announced its decision to dissolve itself as part of a broader commitment to a peaceful and democratic solution.
Among those who have expressed their support are philosophers Edgar Morin, Peter Singer, Alain Badiou, Slavoj Žižek, and Frei Betto; historians Martin Jay and Hans-Lukas Kieser; scholar Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and anthropologist Maurice Godelier.
In their messages, they highlight the urgency of ending decades of conflict, emphasize the moral and political significance of dialogue, and express solidarity with the Kurdish people’s struggle for justice and coexistence.
Their messages are as follows:
French philosopher and sociologist Edgar Morin:
"As an intellectual who believes that free thought and democratic debate are shared values of humanity, I fully support the peace and democratic transformation process in Turkey. I call on everyone to respect and uphold the will of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples to live together in this historic process, which began with a handshake between Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, and Kurdish politicians, and continued with Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and a democratic society from İmralı Prison on February 27.
"Since Socrates, we have known that what makes us human is our ability to think freely and speak with one another. And isn’t thinking a silent dialogue with oneself? Peace is the ability of people to speak freely both with themselves and with each other. Peace is not about becoming the same, but about giving each other a chance, about trying to persuade without destroying.
"The peace and democratization process in Turkey is a requirement of human dignity. That is why I express my support for the unity of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples against the regional provocations of imperialism. Long live freedom, long live democracy! Vive la liberté, vive la démocratie!”
Philosopher Peter Singer:
“I'm greatly encouraged by the fact that there is now a prospect for peace between Turkey and the Kurdish people living in Turkey. I strongly encourage all efforts to achieve that peace. The conflict has killed many people. It's been harmful to Turkey and it's been harmful to the Kurdish people involved.
"So I really hope that we can now move to a peaceful settlement that will stop the killing, will enable progress for the Kurdish people, and will lead to a better situation for everybody involved.”
Author and historian Martin Jay:
“I've been asked to join the chorus of those of us in the West who are heartened by the news that a dialogue has finally begun between the Turkish government and the Kurdish opposition. I'm happy to respond to this request, but with humility as well as hope. Humility simply because I am only a distant observer of the Middle East and of Turkish politics in particular, and therefore have no real authority to chime in and say anything that you don't already know. The hope, however, is simply that from my distant observer position, it has been deeply, deeply saddening, deeply, in a way, almost traumatizing to watch the over 40 years of strife, suffering, conflict that has made it an open wound in Turkish and Kurdish relations, a wound that seems never to really heal. The hope comes from the fact that we now do have what seems to be a real opportunity. I mean, I say this from the news reports that I read in the Western press. I hope that they're valid. This is really a moment of radical opportunity. And I hope the opportunity is not merely for a, what we might call a ceasefire that doesn't really address the issues, but rather a piece that allows those on both sides to come together and try to achieve some modicum of justice, some sense that satisfaction can be achieved, which won't mean victory for one over the other, but rather a kind of what I would call a compromise of finally those who are willing to get beyond violence.
"I'm told that the word Nowruz means new day. And it is my fervent hope that this really means a new day in the politics of your part of the world. Turks and Kurds and all of those in the Middle East that have had to endure so many years of violence have suffered enough. And I just simply want to say that I am among those far, far away who wish you all the best in this new day. You have our hopes. Whatever it is that I could lend to the, let's say, moment of cautious optimism vou now feel. please take it as an expression of solidaritv with those who want to end the strife. Thank you.”
Alain Badiou, one of the world’s leading living philosophers:
“Dear comrades,
"I am writing to express that I believe your stance on the alliance between the Kurdish and Turkish peoples in the face of imperialism is the best possible one. We are in a time when peoples must organize themselves against the maneuvers of various imperialist forces, and this organization clearly involves taking strong steps toward political unity among peoples.
"Please keep me and my partner Isabelle Vodoz informed of your political efforts. Don’t hesitate to ask us to help build support in France among activists who understand the justness of your call.”
Indian scholar, literary theorist, and feminist critic Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak:
“I speak in absolute support of the peace process. It is going to be difficult to sustain it because there is a history of conflict, long history of conflict and broken ceasefires, but it looks like something might happen. I am a pacifist. Any time there is a possibility of an end to war, I will be there. Anytime there is a possibility of reconciliation between opposed parties, I will be there. Because these oppositions are structural, whereas human solidarity is textural. Wars are structural. The people who are killed have no face. But ceasefires are textural because each gesture has to be protected. So, What can I say? You have my absolute support. And I would like to hear a little more about gender solidarity within these peace processes. And once again, much good luck. Let's hope this will be sustainable. The world needs it. Thank you.”
Brazilian writer, philosopher, liberation theologian Carlos Alberto Libânio Christo (a.k.a Frei Betto):
“I hereby express my unreserved support for the peace and democratization process in Turkey! I consider it a significant civilizational advancement for the Turkish and Kurdish peoples to coexist in peace, sharing bread and the joy of life.
"Our nationalities, ethnicities, languages, and cultures are proof of the richness of diversity within a single humanity. We must live as brothers and sisters of the same family in this common home we call Earth. Long live democracy! Down with imperialism!”
Swiss historian Hans-Lukas Kieser:
“I fully support the peace process in Turkey. It is a much-needed democratic learning process that requires new courage, wisdom, and a willingness to compromise from all sides.
"No single politician embodied this new attitude of peace as clearly as the recently deceased Sırrı Süreyya Önder. He is deeply mourned. But even greater than mourning is the courageous human legacy he has left behind for the development of a new political culture in Turkey: a culture that allows everyone, especially Turks and Kurds, to address and solve old problems in a new spirit of democracy and human encounter.
...
"A new coexistence can put an end to the notorious crises, bloodshed and misery. Indeed, new horizons are opening up in Turkey and its neighborhood. The future belongs to those who are able to reach out their hands across the old divides. It belongs to those who reject the politics of violence and coercion and the nationalist dogmatism of the past.
"It belongs to those who have the courage to follow democratic paths: paths that give each individual and each ethnic group recognition and responsibility for the commonwealth. Peace and prosperity can flourish in a free country. I sincerely wish all those involved in the new process every success and all the necessary patience, insight and humility.”
Slovenian Marxist philosopher and cultural theorist Slavoj Žižek:
“I must say I fully support the decision of the PKK which followed the advice of Öcalan, their imprisoned leader, and decided to dissolve itself, to cease to exist. They went to the very edge of proving by acts their commitment to peace. It is absolutely crucial that all around the world, but especially in Europe, people hear about this, participate in the debate, because Kurds are, for me, as far as I know, I have many contacts there, the most enlightened, even feminist, part of the Middle East society. I think that they are the symptomatic point in the sense that if you analyze their situation, their particular situation, you can see in a condensed form what is wrong with the entire Middle East situation. I find the decision of the PKK to dissolves itself. An extremely courageous act. An act which leaves no excuse to the other side to go on with the confrontation. The Kurds went to the end. They did it.”
French anthropologist Maurice Godelier:
“I want to express my support for all those in Turkey who are defending democracy and striving to preserve peace in their society. Having worked for many years in non-Western societies, I have seen the harm caused by domination.
"Pitting Turks and Kurds against each other is contrary to peace and democracy. Many Turks and Kurds, we know, seek peace and reconciliation. Öcalan’s historic call on 27 February 2025, was meant to help realize this. In today’s Middle East, still in flames, a democratic Turkey can become a powerful example.”
German-American writer and activist Gretchen Dutschke-Klotz:
"I value the ongoing negotiation process between Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the Republic of Turkey, and I appreciate the Kurdish people's will for coexistence and a democratic society. All obstacles to the Kurdish people's active participation in democratic politics must be removed, and a peaceful and voluntary union among peoples should be established. Your struggle, which prioritizes gender equality and ecology, is inspiring for all of us.
"I hope Öcalan’s efforts do not go in vain. In any case, this opportunity must be seized. I believe it is very positive, as it could lead the way for Turkey’s democratization, and even Syria’s. This is also our hope for these countries. It becomes an opportunity for their democratization."
21 May 2025