On Monday evening, the Turkish Grand National Assembly approved the framework bill for the “Turkey Without Terrorism,” which is linked to the end of the PKK’s armed struggle and represents the most significant parliamentary step to date in addressing the Kurdish issue.
According to NûMedya24, the bill “to strengthen national solidarity and social integration” was approved following a full day of debate, with 468 votes in favor, 88 against, and six abstentions. After the process was completed, the National Assembly adjourned until October 1.
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The bill had previously been approved by the Justice Committee, following 18 hours of debate, with the support of lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party, the Nationalist Action Party, the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party, and the New Party. The Plenary debated it as a “fundamental law,” pursuant to Article 91 of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.
The implementation of the law is subject to specific conditions. It is stipulated that the provisions will take effect only if the relevant security agencies determine that the PKK and its affiliated organizations have ceased their activities and surrendered all their weapons and ammunition. This determination must be confirmed by the National Security Council and published in the Official Gazette.
The law does not provide for a general or individual amnesty. It provides, under the above conditions, for the suspension of investigations, prosecutions, and the enforcement of sentences for specific offenses. For offenses punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a five-year suspension is provided, while for more serious offenses, a ten-year suspension is provided. Exceptions include, among others, homicides and certain offenses punishable by life imprisonment.
The implementation of the process will be overseen by a special body chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Turkish government, with the participation of the ministers of Justice, Foreign Affairs, the Interior, and Defense, as well as the heads of the National Intelligence Service and the National Security Council. The weapons and equipment to be surrendered will be registered, and those concerned will have six months from the publication of the relevant decision to comply with the regulations.
The pro-Kurdish DEM welcomed the passage of the framework bill, calling it a “historic milestone” for the peace process and a democratic society. The CHP stated that it supports the initiative as a first step toward removing the Kurdish issue from the realm of armed conflict, while also calling for democratization, respect for the rulings of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, and an end to the practice of appointing commissioners to municipalities.
The İYİ Party voted against the bill, while the Happiness Party offered conditional support, emphasizing that a lasting solution requires justice, the rule of law, social inclusion, and the strengthening of fundamental rights.
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Source: KYPE
