A Historic Step Towards Sustainable Peace and Justice

In a landmark event contributing to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) conducted a formal ceremony to symbolically destroy weapons, signalling a commitment to end a decades-long armed conflict. The ceremony, held in the Casene Cave region, represents a significant move towards building a peaceful and inclusive society in the region, addressing long-standing issues of conflict and instability that have hindered progress across multiple development goals.

Context of the Disarmament: Addressing Historical Grievances and Inequalities

Roots of the Conflict and SDG 10

The conflict’s origins are rooted in what the movement describes as centuries of denial and forced assimilation of the Kurdish people. This historical context directly relates to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as the struggle has been defined as a pursuit of a free, equal, and dignified life for a marginalised ethnic group. The personal accounts of participants, such as the imposition of non-Kurdish names under the 1936 Surname Law, underscore the systemic inequalities and the erosion of cultural identity that the peace process seeks to rectify.

The Path to the Ceremony

The disarmament event was the culmination of a renewed peace process, marking a critical step towards establishing effective and accountable institutions as envisioned in SDG 16. Key milestones included:

1. 22 October 2024: A public call for action from MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli to Abdullah Öcalan, initiating a new dialogue process.
2. 27 February 2025: A call from PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan for the movement to dissolve itself.
3. Post-February 2025: The PKK held a congress and announced its formal disbandment, leading directly to the planning of the weapons destruction ceremony.
4. 11 July 2025: The symbolic ceremony takes place, attended by international press, politicians, and civil society representatives.

The Ceremony: A Manifestation of Peace-Building Efforts

Participants and Inclusivity: A Focus on SDG 5

The ceremony was a model of inclusive participation. The delegation that destroyed their arms was composed of an equal number of men and women (fifteen each), with the proceedings led by KCK co-chair Bese Hozat. This deliberate gender parity strongly supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality), highlighting women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in peace and security processes. Attendees included a diverse cross-section of society, further promoting an inclusive approach to peace-building:

• Journalists from local and international media
• Human rights activists and lawyers
• Representatives from the DEM Party and the Iraqi Kurdish Government
• Peace Mothers, women who have lost children to the conflict and advocate for non-violence
• Civil society representatives

The Symbolic Act of Disarmament

The core of the ceremony involved thirty members of the movement placing their weapons and utility belts into a container, which was then set alight by senior figures Bese Hozat and Behzat Çarçel. This act serves as a powerful, tangible demonstration of a commitment to SDG 16.2, which calls for an end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence and related death rates. It marks a transition from armed struggle to a new phase of political and social engagement.

Broader Implications for Sustainable Development

Fostering Just and Inclusive Societies (SDG 16 & SDG 10)

The end of armed conflict is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving the targets of SDG 16. This event lays the groundwork for strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights for all. By moving away from violence, the process opens a path for addressing the systemic inequalities (SDG 10) that have affected the Kurdish population, creating potential for their full social and political inclusion.

Rebuilding Communities and Ensuring Well-being (SDG 11 & SDG 3)

The report references the forced evacuation of villages in the 1990s and their slow repopulation. Lasting peace is essential for the creation of safe, resilient, and sustainable communities (SDG 11), allowing for the return of displaced populations and the reconstruction of their homes and livelihoods. Furthermore, ending the violence that has claimed tens of thousands of lives is a critical step towards promoting mental and physical well-being (SDG 3) and healing the deep-seated trauma of war.

Conclusion: A Foundation for a Sustainable Future

The symbolic destruction of weapons by the PKK is more than a singular event; it is a foundational step towards achieving a comprehensive and sustainable peace. By directly addressing the targets of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), this act has the potential to catalyse broader regional development. While the future remains uncertain, this commitment to disarmament provides a crucial opportunity to build a just, equitable, and peaceful society in line with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses a complex situation involving a long-standing conflict, a peace process, human rights, and cultural identity. Based on the content, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire narrative revolves around ending a decades-long armed conflict and building a foundation for lasting peace.

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   
   The article directly addresses this target by describing the PKK’s ceremony to “symbolically destroy their weapons” and “leave [war] behind.” This action is a concrete step to end the armed struggle that has caused “tens of thousands of people on both sides” to lose their lives. The event marks a move away from violence towards a peaceful resolution.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   
   The article implies a lack of justice and rule of law through several examples. It mentions “loved ones remain incarcerated for fighting for freedom of speech, the Kurdish issue, and human rights,” the killing of a ten-year-old girl, and the “Kurds’ growing distrust in the Turkish state’s sincerity” due to past broken promises, such as the arrests of PKK members at the Habur border despite government assurances. The pursuit of a “dignified life” is intrinsically linked to achieving equal justice.
3. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   
   The peace process described is an example of an attempt at inclusive decision-making. The article mentions the involvement of various actors: the PKK, the Turkish state, the DEM Party, “writers, human rights activists, and Peace Mothers,” and the Iraqi Kurdish Government. This multi-stakeholder approach, involving political actors and civil society, is central to this target.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article frames the conflict’s origins in systemic inequality and discrimination against the Kurdish people.

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… ethnicity, origin… or other status.
   
   The article states the PKK was formed due to “centuries-long denial and forced assimilation of Kurds on their ancestral lands.” The movement’s goal is to secure a “free, equal, and dignified life for Kurds.” This directly aligns with the target of promoting the social and political inclusion of an ethnic group that has been historically marginalized.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
   
   A specific example of a discriminatory policy is cited: the “1936 Surname Law.” The character Öztürk Türkdoğan explains that his Turkish name is “a product of the denial and assimilation policies.” This highlights how state policies have actively created inequality and erased cultural identity, which this target aims to eliminate.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The article highlights the significant and equal role of women in the conflict and the peace process.

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political… and public life.
   
   The ceremony is explicitly described as being led by “Fifteen women and fifteen men,” demonstrating gender parity. Furthermore, a senior female figure, “KCK co-chair Bese Hozat,” is shown in a primary leadership role, co-leading the ceremony and setting the weapons alight. The article also emphasizes the presence and emotional response of “Peace Mothers” and female guerrillas, underscoring women’s active participation in the movement for peace.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article touches upon the impact of the conflict on human settlements and the displacement of people.

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services…
   
   The article references the consequences of the conflict on communities, mentioning the Peri Valley as a place “forcibly evacuated under state pressure in the early 1990s.” It also tells the story of a DEM Party representative whose village in Tatvan was “burned down in 1993,” forcing his family into exile. These accounts relate to the destruction of safe housing and settlements, and the slow process of “repopulation” points to the long-term challenge of restoring sustainable communities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several qualitative and quantitative elements that can serve as indicators of progress.

• Indicator for Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence): The number of weapons destroyed. The article specifies that “Thirty guerrilla members… burned their weapons.” This is a direct, quantifiable indicator of disarmament. A future indicator would be the reduction in conflict-related deaths from the baseline of “tens of thousands.”
• Indicator for Target 16.3 (Justice): The level of trust in state institutions. The article establishes a baseline of deep “distrust in the Turkish state’s sincerity.” An increase in trust, measured through public sentiment or the success of future agreements, would indicate progress. Another implied indicator is the number of political prisoners released, as the article notes many remain “incarcerated for fighting for freedom of speech.”
• Indicator for Target 5.5 (Gender Equality): The proportion of women in leadership roles in peace processes. The article provides a positive data point: the ceremony was co-led by a woman (Bese Hozat), and there was equal participation of “Fifteen women and fifteen men.” This serves as a benchmark for women’s participation.
• Indicator for Target 10.3 (Reduce Inequalities): The existence and enforcement of discriminatory policies. The article cites the “1936 Surname Law” as an example of a policy causing inequality. The repeal of such laws and the official recognition of Kurdish cultural rights (language, identity) would be key indicators of progress.
• Indicator for Target 11.1 (Sustainable Communities): The rate of return of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The article mentions villages that were “forcibly evacuated” are now “slowly being repopulated.” Tracking the number of people returning to their ancestral lands would be a measure of progress in restoring safe and sustainable communities.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: anfenglish.com