Türkiye’s parliament speaker, Numan Kurtulmuş, declared that the nation has no room for separatism or discrimination, emphasizing the importance of the recent legislative progress toward achieving a “terror-free Türkiye.” Speaking at an event in Istanbul on Saturday, Kurtulmuş highlighted the culmination of years of effort to address the persistent threat posed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). He described the passage of the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion, which was approved by Parliament with 467 votes, as a major milestone in the ongoing struggle against terrorism. Kurtulmuş, who has dedicated much of his time in the current legislative session to the “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, noted that the process began with the formation of a parliamentary committee focused on disarming the PKK. Through extensive discussions with various political factions, the committee developed a draft bill that was ultimately ratified by Parliament earlier this month. The law, which is temporary in nature, provides deferrals in sentencing and prosecution for PKK members not involved in violent activities or terrorism. During his remarks, Kurtulmuş acknowledged the historical challenges faced in resolving the conflict, citing past leaders such as Necmettin Erbakan, Turgut Özal, Süleyman Demirel, and Bülent Ecevit, who attempted similar solutions without lasting success. He criticized the interference that often disrupted these efforts, including assassinations and provocations, particularly during the presidency of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, when the Dolmabahçe Accord nearly achieved a breakthrough before being sabotaged by alleged agents of the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ). Kurtulmuş emphasized that the current initiative, launched under President Erdoğan’s guidance, has undergone an extended period of development. He praised the unprecedented level of cooperation among diverse political parties, stating that the emergence of such a broad social alliance represents a significant achievement. He underscored the importance of the PKK’s willingness to lay down arms, noting that the proliferation of weapons in the Middle East has been a longstanding issue. He expressed hope that the law will create an environment where Kurdish youth will not feel compelled to take up arms. Kurtulmuş also stressed that the initiative is not solely the responsibility of any one party or the government, but rather a national endeavor. He asserted that success will depend on the collective efforts of all who support the cause, reinforcing the idea that the outcome will reflect the contributions of many. Meanwhile, opposition leader Özgür Özel of the New Party expressed support for the legislation but warned that the government must not be granted unchecked authority. In an interview with Cumhuriyet, Özel stated that his party’s endorsement of the bill was based on principled grounds, focusing on the goal of ending terrorism. However, he pledged to advocate for democratic reforms, including measures to protect journalists and change laws that he believes threaten freedom of expression. Özel also emphasized that the resolution of the conflict must encompass security, democracy, and economic development, advocating for a broader vision of equal citizenship that extends beyond ethnic or linguistic considerations. The MHP’s Devlet Bahçeli, speaking to Türkgün, echoed the sentiment that the “terror-free Türkiye” initiative is a shared national achievement. He emphasized that the process is transparent and open, rejecting allegations of secret negotiations. Bahçeli stressed that the legal measures introduced should not be misconstrued as an amnesty, insisting that the PKK and its affiliates must fully disarm and surrender all weapons before any benefits of the law can be realized. He urged continued vigilance against potential saboteurs, highlighting the need for societal unity and national solidarity. Senior officials from both the MHP and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative during the MHP’s 12th ordinary provincial congress in Yalova. AK Party Deputy Chair Ahmet Büyükgümüş noted that the PKK has lost much of its organizational strength and is increasingly pressured to disarm. He pointed to the recently enacted Terror-Free Türkiye Framework Law, which received overwhelming support, as a crucial step forward. Büyükgümüş indicated that future actions under the law will hinge on the PKK fulfilling its obligations, including the complete dissolution of its structures. He also confirmed that Turkey’s counterterrorism operations have not ceased and will persist until all terrorist elements are eradicated.
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