Parliament’s Commission for a Terror-Free Türkiye Nears Completion

Summary:

A parliamentary committee tasked with guiding Türkiye’s “terror-free” initiative is nearing the completion of a landmark report expected to shape future legislation on the disarmament of the PKK. Established last year amid cautious cross-party consensus, the committee’s work reflects both the political sensitivity of the process and the government’s effort to frame disarmament as a unilateral step toward long-term Turkish-Kurdish unity. While broad support exists across Parliament, contentious issues — including legal reforms, local governance and the fate of imprisoned PKK members — remain under discussion.

Committee Moves Toward Final Report

Türkiye’s Parliament is preparing to conclude a key report that will serve as a legislative roadmap for the country’s “terror-free Türkiye” initiative. The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, established in August, was created to advance the initiative following the PKK’s decision to disarm.

The committee is chaired by Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, who convened representatives of participating political parties this week in a closed-door meeting. A second round of talks is scheduled for next week as work on the joint report accelerates.

Once finalized, the report is expected to guide Parliament when it introduces legislation on its own initiative, particularly in areas related to disarmament, legal adjustments and broader democratization measures.

PKK Disarmament as Turning Point

The committee’s work follows a pivotal development earlier this year, when the PKK announced it would dissolve itself in response to a call by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan. The call, issued in February, came at the invitation of Devlet Bahçeli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a key ally of the government.

Authorities have consistently rejected claims that the state negotiated with the PKK, insisting that the disarmament process is unilateral. Nonetheless, officials acknowledge that legislative and regulatory changes will be required to give momentum to the initiative, including possible sentencing leniency for PKK members not involved in acts of violence.

Cross-Party Harmony, With Caveats

According to MHP co-chair Feti Yıldız, lawmakers will reconvene next Tuesday or Wednesday to refine the report.

“We agreed on several items for the joint report,” Yıldız said, noting that these provisions could still be revised. “This may not be the final round of talks, but there is a great harmony among parties.”

Most opposition parties have expressed support for the initiative, albeit with reservations. Some smaller groups have adopted a harder line, describing the process as a betrayal of victims of terrorism. However, representatives of non-governmental organizations speaking on behalf of families of soldiers and civilians killed in PKK attacks have largely endorsed the effort, according to public statements.

Legal Reforms and Local Governance in Focus

One of the most sensitive issues under discussion is the legal framework needed to support disarmament. While the report is expected to recommend drafting a special law and amending existing legislation, it will not specify exact sentence reductions for surrendered PKK members.

Another contentious topic is the practice of appointing state trustees to municipalities previously run by the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and its predecessor, the HDP. Many of those municipalities were placed under trusteeship after elected mayors were accused of aiding the PKK.

Yıldız said the practice could be modified, suggesting that trustees might be selected from within municipal councils. He also voiced support for reinstating Ahmet Türk and Ahmet Özer, two mayors suspended over alleged PKK links.

“Right to Hope” Debate

Another divisive issue is the so-called “right to hope” — a legal concept linked to European human rights standards — for imprisoned PKK members, including Öcalan. Yıldız said the concept appears in draft discussions but may not make it into the final report.

When the initiative was first launched, the MHP had suggested that Öcalan’s prison conditions could be reviewed if he called on the PKK to dissolve. Even if applied, the “right to hope” would not imply immediate release, and Öcalan did not attach any conditions to his call. Still, authorities have signaled that aspects of his incarceration could be eased.

Structure and Scope of the Report

Tuesday’s meeting focused on shaping the broad structure of the report, which is expected to include sections on the committee’s mandate, the history of PKK terrorism, Turkish-Kurdish relations, legal steps for disarmament, and democratization.

The democratization chapter is likely to address issues such as trustee regulations, European Court of Human Rights rulings in PKK-related cases, possible amendments to election laws, and new rules governing public assemblies.

A Cautious Step Toward Unity

Supporters frame the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen Turkish-Kurdish unity and prevent future radicalization. Türkiye previously attempted to resolve the PKK issue through a reconciliation process more than a decade ago, but that effort collapsed after the group violated a unilateral ceasefire.

As Parliament edges closer to finalizing its report, lawmakers face the challenge of balancing security concerns, political sensitivities and legal reforms. Whether the initiative leads to lasting stability will depend not only on legislation, but also on sustained public trust and careful implementation.

Source: SABAH Daily

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