Turkey MPs back historic law on reintegrating PKK militants
Turkey's parliament has taken a major step toward ending four decades of conflict with the PKK. The new law sets out how some militants can
Turkey's parliament has taken a major step toward ending four decades of conflict with the PKK. The new law sets out how some militants can return to civilian life, but leaves Abdullah Ocalan's future unresolved. Turkey's parliament on Monday approved legislation offering a conditional pardon and legal protections to thousands of members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). After around 12 hours of debate, lawmakers voted 468 to 88 in favor of the 12-article bill, with six abstentions. It was backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party, its nationalist MHP allies and the pro-Kurdish DEM party. What does Turkey's new PKK law provide? The law sets out procedures for the PKK's disarmament and dissolution and the reintegration of some members into civilian life. The government has stressed that it is not a general amnesty. Some prison sentences would be suspended, while investigations and trials could be postponed for five or 10 years depending on the offense. If those covered commit no terrorism-related crime during that period, cases would be dropped and sentences considered served. Turkish lawmakers debated the bill for around 12 hours before voting on the legislation Image: Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua/picture alliance Around 3,500 PKK-linked detainees could initially be released, lawmakers said. Media reports suggest exiled members and fighters in Iraq and Syria could also benefit.
People convicted of intentional killings and some serving life sentences are excluded. When will the law take effect? The measures will only come into force once Turkey's Security Council confirms that the PKK has dissolved and surrendered all weapons. Those seeking to benefit would then have six months to apply. Ministerial and parliamentary committees are also due to monitor the process. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz hailed the vote as a 'historic step' toward ending the decades-long conflict with the PKK [FILE: March 27, 2026] Image: Ahmet Okur/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz called the vote a "historic step", saying "the 468 'yes' votes are of the utmost importance in terms of political consensus". What happens to Abdullah Ocalan? The law does not cover imprisoned PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, 77, who has been held on Imrali island near Istanbul since 1999. Yilmaz said Ocalan's case "does not fall within the scope of this law", but added that he could remain "in a position to contribute to the peace process". Ocalan has been central to the initiative. In February 2025, he urged the PKK to disarm and dissolve and pursue Kurdish rights through democratic means. This latest image of imprisoned PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan was provided by the pro-Kurdish DEM party [FILE: February 27, 2026] Image: DEM The PKK announced its dissolution in May 2025.
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