Turkish Parliament Votes on Bill to End PKK Conflict

The Turkish Parliament is scheduled to vote on Monday on the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integrity. This legislation is the centerpiece of a "terror-free Türkiye" initiative aimed at ending a conflict that has lasted over 40 years, following the 2025 announcement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to dissolve.

The Government of Türkiye proposed the framework, which was approved by the Justice Commission after an 18-hour session with support from the AK Party, MHP, DEM Party, and CHP. The law establishes an executive board chaired by the vice president, alongside a 17-member parliamentary board, to monitor the disarmament process. Provisions include a mechanism to defer investigations and prosecutions for five to 10 years for individuals involved in nonviolent crimes, such as funding or propaganda. However, the law excludes senior cadres, including Abdullah Öcalan, and those responsible for intentional killings.

The measures will only be enacted once the National Security Council publishes a formal decision confirming that the PKK has fully disbanded and surrendered its weaponry. The initiative follows an October 2024 call for peace by Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli.