Ankara: The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has expressed criticism toward the Turkish parliament’s draft law regarding the reintegration of its fighters, slated for presentation to parliament, citing “serious errors and shortcomings.” The PKK reiterated its demand for the release of their leader, Abdullah -calan, as a condition for supporting the bill.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Turkish parliament’s Justice Committee recently approved the draft law, preparing it for a full parliamentary vote. The proposed legislation includes a mechanism to facilitate the return of PKK fighters, whose organizational structure was dismantled last year, to civilian life in Turkey under specific conditions.
In a statement released by the ANF news agency, associated with the PKK, the party leadership criticized the draft for neglecting the recommendations of the parliamentary committee responsible for framing the legal context of the peace process. The PKK emphasized that the draft’s focus on disarmament, without addressing the broader “Kurdish issue,” was inadequate.
The PKK urged for legal and political assurances that would allow its disarmed fighters to engage in public life, enjoy political rights, and exercise freedoms without fear of legal repercussions. Additionally, the PKK stressed that releasing Abdullah -calan, imprisoned for nearly 27 years on Imrali Island, is crucial for the law’s implementation. The draft law, as it stands, does not address -calan’s situation directly.
The proposed legislation allows for the suspension of investigations and sentences against former fighters for five to ten years. If no new offenses occur during this period, these could lead to the closure of investigations and the completion of sentences, effectively acting as a pardon. However, the law excludes certain serious crimes, which could prevent -calan from benefiting.
In contrast, Selahattin Demirtas, former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), voiced support for the bill, hoping it would mark a pivotal phase in the peace process. Demirtas, imprisoned since 2016, stated that the law could alter Turkey and the region’s future after over 40 years of conflict resulting in at least 50,000 deaths, emphasizing that the peace process should not be about division or fruitless negotiations.