Turkish lawmakers from multiple parties sign draft bill on PKK disarmament process

Lawmakers from several Turkish political parties have added their signatures to a 12-article draft bill that would set legal conditions for handling criminal cases linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) if the group fully disarms and dissolves. The text, titled the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, advanced toward possible submission to Turkey’s parliament later on Wednesday, 5 August.

The PKK is a militant Kurdish group that has waged an armed conflict against the Turkish state for decades. Turkey, the United States, the European Union, and others designate it as a terrorist organisation. The bill does not grant an automatic amnesty. Its measures would take effect only after Turkish security institutions verify that the PKK, its umbrella structure known as the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), and affiliated groups have ended their activities and surrendered their weapons and ammunition. Turkey’s National Security Council would then confirm that assessment in a decision published in the Official Gazette.

Cross-party signatures

Members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), the nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR) signed the draft. The DEM Party group included its co-chairs and lawmakers involved in past contacts related to imprisoned PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan. MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli and senior figures had earlier added their names. Public reports have not clarified whether the signatures constitute formal legislative sponsorship or political support for the text. Signing does not guarantee how parties will vote if the bill advances through committees and the full parliament.

Which cases would be covered

The bill would apply to a specific list of offenses tied to PKK/KCK activity. These include founding or leading the organisation, membership, providing knowing assistance, propaganda, certain crimes committed on its behalf, and relevant terrorism-financing offenses under Turkish law.

It explicitly excludes intentional killings carried out as part of the group’s activities. It also excludes older cases involving life imprisonment or aggravated life sentences for acts committed before June 1, 2005. These limits distinguish the proposal from a broad amnesty and keep the most serious violent crimes outside its scope.

Suspension periods of five or ten years

For people whose cases have not yet reached a final court decision:

Investigations or prosecutions carrying a possible sentence of up to 15 years could be suspended for five years.
Cases involving longer sentences, including eligible life terms, could be suspended for ten years.

Detention and other restrictive measures could be lifted if the legal basis for them no longer applied. If the individual commits no new offense during the suspension period, authorities could close the investigation or dismiss the case. Time limits for prosecution would be frozen during the suspension.

The same five- and ten-year periods would apply to prison sentences that have already become final. After completing the period without reoffending, the sentence would be treated as served. Courts could also lift certain civil or public-rights restrictions tied to the conviction once the conditions are met.

Applicants would have six months from the official Gazette publication of the National Security Council decision to apply in writing.

Oversight structure

A high-level executive board chaired by a vice president would coordinate implementation. Members would include the ministers of justice, foreign affairs, interior, and national defence, along with senior intelligence and National Security Council officials. Parliament would create a separate 17-member monitoring commission involving political parties.

The interior and national defence ministries would jointly set procedures for registering those who surrender and the weapons handed over.

Comparison with earlier legislation

Turkey passed a shorter six-article law in 2014 during a previous peace process. That law gave the government broad authority to pursue political, social, and security measures. The new draft is more detailed: it spells out how pending cases, final sentences, application deadlines, verification steps, and institutional oversight would work.

The text may still change once it is formally registered and debated in parliament. At the time of the original reporting, the precise procedural status of the signatures had not been confirmed in the parliament’s public legislative database.

Note: This account is based on Turkish media reports and statements from the parties involved. Formal introduction of the bill and its final content remain subject to parliamentary procedures.

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The original article by EUalive’s partner Bosphorus News can be found here.

Caption: The Republican People’s Party CHP, in a meeting attended by the Central Executive Board, the TBMM Group Chair, the Group Deputy Chairs, and the Justice Commission Spokesperson, has approved the draft bill.[ @SEVDAERDAN on X]