A Turkish parliamentary commission overseeing the legislative dimension of Ankara’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative has proposed a temporary and purpose-specific law to regulate the reintegration of outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members who lay down arms, according to a report finalized after six months of work.
The 60-page report, prepared by the Grand National Assembly’s Commission on National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy, recommends a standalone and time-limited legal framework to manage the disarmament process and its aftermath, while stressing that the measures should not create a perception of amnesty or impunity.
The commission began its work on Aug. 5, 2025 and completed its report this week. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the draft at a meeting chaired by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş on Wednesday.
The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for four decades.
Verification and judicial process
The proposed legislation would require that the laying down of arms be verified in the field by relevant executive bodies and monitored through a mechanism that reports periodically to parliament.
The report states that any legal arrangement must ensure that individuals who reject violence are reintegrated into society in a “fair, secure and healthy” manner, but also that “a judicial process must be carried out” in all cases.
It recommends that the law be drafted in a clear and comprehensive manner so that its scope cannot be expanded through interpretation, and that it should avoid creating an impression of a general amnesty.
In addition to a temporary law specific to the disarmament process, the commission suggests making use of existing criminal and enforcement legislation in determining the legal status of those involved.
Review of enforcement and detention rules
The report also calls for a broader review of enforcement legislation in light of rulings by the European Court of Human Rights and Türkiye’s Constitutional Court.
It recommends reassessing conditional release rules and prison terms under principles of fairness and equality, and considering postponement of sentences for elderly and seriously ill inmates, citing the primacy of the right to life.
The commission proposes that detention pending trial be applied in line with the principle that it is an exception, and that legal provisions on arrest be reviewed accordingly.
It further calls for strengthening mechanisms to ensure full compliance with rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court, and for removing administrative and judicial obstacles to implementing such decisions.
Democratization proposals
Beyond disarmament, the report includes recommendations aimed at strengthening democratic politics.
It suggests amending legislation so that if a mayor is removed from office under existing legal provisions, a replacement would be elected solely by the municipal council rather than appointed.
The commission also proposes revising the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations to broaden rights and protect their essence, while continuing to combat incitement to violence, hate speech and terrorist propaganda.
It recommends reviewing provisions of the Turkish Penal Code and the Anti-Terror Law in line with the principle of legal certainty to strengthen freedom of expression, and restructuring the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye to increase its effectiveness.
The report also calls for preparing new legislation on political parties, elections and political ethics in line with principles of transparency, pluralism and intra-party democracy.
Political backing and next steps
Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş said on Tuesday that Türkiye was facing a “historic process” to reinforce peace and unity, adding that the final report would soon be presented to the public and that parliament would fulfill its responsibility.
The commission report also recommends providing legal safeguards, within the framework of the constitution and the rule of law, for public officials, politicians and other actors involved in managing the process.
After submission to the parliamentary presidency, draft bills linked to steps taken on the ground regarding disarmament are expected to be introduced.
Opposition Republican People’s Party deputy group chair Murat Emir said that under the commission’s working rules, a qualified majority of 31 votes would be required for the report to be adopted.