Terror-free Türkiye law in works, no pardon for Öcalan

In a significant development aimed at addressing decades of conflict, Turkish authorities announced that 134 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have surrendered to security forces since the start of the year. These surrenders, according to the Interior Ministry, were facilitated through coordinated operations involving the intelligence units of the Gendarmerie General Command and the National Police, alongside the Police Department's Counterterrorism Division. The individuals who surrendered included two classified as being in the "gray" category and one in the "yellow" category—designations used by Turkish authorities to classify the level of threat posed by wanted individuals. Of the 134, 115 have been arrested pending trial, while 14 were released under judicial control measures. Five individuals remain under investigation, with judicial proceedings ongoing.

The announcement comes amid broader efforts by the Turkish government to implement what has become known as the "terror-free Türkiye" initiative, a multi-phase strategy aimed at achieving the complete disarmament and dissolution of the PKK. The initiative, launched in 2024 by a close ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), seeks to end the armed conflict that has persisted since 1984. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed struggle against the Turkish state, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

Recent developments indicate that the PKK has initiated a phased withdrawal from Türkiye, following earlier steps to abandon arms in northern Iraq. A ceremony in Iraq marked the beginning of this withdrawal, with some members reportedly attending. The government has stated that the initiative has entered a new phase, focusing on ensuring the complete disbandment of the PKK. This includes verifying that the group has fully laid down its arms, a crucial condition for the next stage of the initiative.

Efforts are underway to draft a temporary law that will govern the next phase of the initiative. According to sources, the law will provide benefits to PKK members only after confirming their organization's complete dissolution and abandonment of arms. The law, set to be discussed in parliament, will exclude high-profile figures such as Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the PKK, who remains under a life sentence for treason. The law will also exclude those responsible for serious acts of terrorism, whether they are currently in custody or at large abroad. Once the law is enacted, the legal status of approximately 4,300 individuals currently incarcerated for terrorism-related offenses will be reviewed, potentially leading to early releases or reduced sentences.

The proposed law has sparked discussions among both the ruling AKP and opposition parties. While the ruling bloc emphasizes the need for swift legislative action, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party calls for more comprehensive legal frameworks to support the peace process. The DEM Party has raised concerns about the potential limitations of the law, particularly regarding the categorization of individuals and the exclusion of certain leaders. Despite these concerns, the party acknowledges that the initiative represents a critical step toward resolving the long-standing conflict.

Political figures have underscored the importance of moving forward with the initiative. Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş highlighted that the process has reached a pivotal stage, with approximately 80–90% of the necessary work completed. He attributed the progress to recent developments in neighboring Syria, where the PKK’s affiliated group, the YPG, has been less able to pose a threat to Türkiye. Kurtulmuş urged all political parties to act swiftly to ensure the law passes without delay, warning that any hesitation could lead to renewed tensions.

As the initiative progresses, the focus remains on verifying the complete disarmament of the PKK. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are tasked with preparing a detailed report on the situation, which will be submitted to the National Security Council (NSC) for final approval. Only after this verification process reaches an 80% satisfaction threshold will the law be implemented. The government hopes to finalize the legal preparations quickly and move the initiative forward without delays, aiming to permanently remove terrorism from the country’s agenda.