Shafaq News- Istanbul
Imprisoned Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas on Sundayendorsed a bill that would reintegrate former Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)fighters into civilian life, a day before Turkiye's parliament is expected tovote on the measure.
Jailed since 2016 and still one of Turkiye's most prominentKurdish figures despite formally withdrawing from politics, Demirtas is theformer co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). He said themeasure could "fundamentally change the fate of our country andregion," stressing that the process was not intended to sow division,secure political bargains, or pursue fruitless negotiations.
The legislation is one of the most concrete steps yet towardending a conflict that has run since 1984 and killed more than 40,000 people.The PKK, founded in 1978, took up arms against the Turkish state in pursuit ofKurdish self-rule and is designated a terrorist organization by Turkiye, theUnited States, and the European Union.
Selahattin Demirtaş ve Selçuk Mızraklı'nın Çerçeve Yasa görüşmelerine ilişkin Meclis Genel Kurulu’na gönderdikleri mesaj t.co/QTmB8wQ52s pic.twitter.com/j1FCMqzO98
— DEM Parti (@DEMGenelMerkezi) August 9, 2026Approved by parliament's Justice Committee on Friday, theproposal would suspend investigations and the enforcement of sentences againstformer fighters for periods ranging from five to 10 years. If no furtheroffense is committed during that period, cases would be closed, and sentencesdeemed served, an outcome that could amount in practice to an amnesty.
The bill excludes intentional killings carried out as partof PKK activities, along with offenses punishable by life imprisonmentcommitted before June 1, 2005. It does not address the status of PKK founderAbdullah Ocalan, 77, who has been held on Imrali Island, in the Sea of Marmara,since 1999. Ocalan has described the proposed law as "the key" toresolving the decades-old conflict, urging all sides to take responsibility forensuring the process succeeds.
The initiative has drawn support from President Recep TayyipErdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), its NationalistMovement Party (MHP) ally, and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and DemocracyParty (DEM Party).
Last year, Ocalan urged the PKK to convene a congress, laydown its arms, and formally disband, a call widely viewed as a potentialturning point in efforts to end the conflict.
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