ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the political umbrella group of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to a second "historical" message from the party’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, while criticizing the Turkish government for not taking necessary steps to ensure the success of the peace process.

"Now, we have decided to take the steps that Leader Apo wants from us,” the KCK said. "Leader Apo" is a common nickname for Ocalan.

Ocalan said in a video message published on Wednesday that they were “ending the PKK movement" while urging Turkey's parliament to undertake its legislative role to oversee the peace process following PKK disarmament.

"At this stage, the Republic of Turkey and the current government have not yet taken any steps to meet the needs of the process and the significant steps we have taken. We see and know these things. However, in the belief that the goals of the 'Call for Peace and a Democratic Society' have been achieved, we have supported the process,” KCK said.

Ankara "must understand that the process will not progress unilaterally,” the KCK stated.

The PKK announced its historic decision to disband following its 12th Congress in early May, which responded to Ocalan's call for disarmament and ended a multi-decade armed campaign against the Turkish state.

Releasing Ocalan’s message on Wednesday coincides with the PKK's plan to begin handing over their weapons on Thursday, July 10th, in the Kurdistan Region’s Sulaimani, marking the symbolic first disarmament ceremony.

Ocalan has been serving a life sentence at Imrali prison, a small but high-security facility on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara, since February 1999.

“The imprisonment of Leader Apo, who has developed the process of a democratic society, must end, and he must be released,” the KCK said. "Because if Leader Apo is released, this process can move forward and achieve its goals. Conversely, it is also impossible for the process to move forward by continuing the current situation."

"Second, everything necessary must be done for democratic politics and the rule of law.

"Politics and parliament should take the initiative in this area and act accordingly. A meaningful process and progress can only be achieved in this way."