“A Turkey Without Terror”: Parliament Launches Historic Commission for Peace and Unity
Turkish Parliament
In a landmark move, the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) convened its newly established “Commission for a Terror-Free Turkey” for the first time, signaling a significant step in the nation’s pursuit of internal peace and democratic reconciliation.
“This Is Not a Bargain, But a March Toward Hope”
Addressing the inaugural session in the Parliament’s Ceremony Hall, Speaker of the Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş declared:
“We are at a historic turning point. This is not a bargain; it is a shared march toward hope. Parliament is the legitimate address for a solution.”
Kurtulmuş emphasized that terrorism has not only claimed lives but also stolen the nation’s sense of hope. He called for unity across ethnic identities, specifically mentioning the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood as a cornerstone of shared destiny.
Transparency, Pluralism, and National Unity
Kurtulmuş outlined the principles that will guide the commission’s work:
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Transparency in all decisions and updates
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Pluralistic dialogue including all political views
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Public accountability led by the TBMM Speaker’s office
“Every identity will have a voice here. This is not a platform for confrontation but for collective wisdom.”
He also warned of possible provocations aimed at derailing the peace process, stressing that Turkey’s pluralistic democracy is the best antidote.
Full Representation from All Political Parties
The commission includes members from all major parties:
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AKP: 21 MPs including Abdulhamit Gül, Cüneyt Yüksel, and Mehmet Sait Yaz
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CHP: 10 MPs including Murat Emir, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, and Türkan Elçi
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MHP: 4 MPs including Feti Yıldız
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DEM Party: 4 MPs including Gülüstan Kılıç Koçyiğit and Meral Danış Beştaş
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Future & Minor Parties: Representatives from YRP, DSP, HÜDA PAR, TİP, DP, EMEP
Speaker’s Final Call: “We Could Have Built More Schools Instead of Losing Lives”
In his closing remarks, Kurtulmuş reflected on the heavy human and economic toll of decades-long terrorism in Turkey:
“If not for terrorism, we could have built more schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. The heaviest cost has been paid in human lives. Let us now build a new, peaceful and pluralistic Turkey together.”
