Peregraf — Turkey’s ruling coalition has submitted a 12-article Framework Law to parliament establishing the legal basis for advancing the Kurdish peace process, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan describing the legislation as a historic step toward strengthening national unity and lasting peace.
In a statement posted on X, Erdoğan said the bill, prepared following broad consultations, had been presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly with wide political support.
“I hope this step, which aims to permanently rid Turkey of the threat of terrorism, reinforce our national unity and solidarity, and strengthen the climate of peace in our country and region, will lead to favorable outcomes,” Erdoğan said.
He thanked lawmakers who contributed to drafting the legislation, particularly Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, describing the bill as the product of broad political consensus.
The legislation, signed by nearly 360 lawmakers, is officially titled the Framework Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration. It establishes the legal and administrative mechanisms for implementing the peace process following the permanent disarmament and dissolution of the PKK/KCK.
Under the proposed law, its provisions would take effect only after Turkey’s security institutions confirm that the PKK/KCK and all affiliated entities have permanently ended their armed presence and surrendered their weapons, followed by an official decision of the National Security Council (MGK) published in the Official Gazette.
The bill provides for the conditional deferral of investigations, prosecutions, and prison sentences for certain terrorism-related offenses. Cases carrying maximum prison terms of 15 years or less would be deferred for five years, while offenses punishable by more than 15 years or life imprisonment would be deferred for 10 years. If no new terrorism-related offenses are committed during the deferral period, the charges or sentences would be dismissed.
The legislation excludes intentional killings committed within the framework of organizational activities and crimes committed before June 1, 2005, carrying life or aggravated life imprisonment.
The proposal also establishes a high-level oversight board chaired by Turkey’s vice president and comprising the ministers of justice, foreign affairs, interior, and national defense, alongside the chief of the General Staff, the director of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), and the secretary-general of the National Security Council. Parliament would also establish a dedicated monitoring commission.
Separately, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli said the legislation marks a new chapter in relations between Turks and Kurds. He revealed that he maintains regular contact with imprisoned former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş through his lawyers.
“We have good mutual relations,” Bahçeli said, adding that Demirtaş should be released and that imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan should be granted the “right to hope.”
“With this signature, our thousand-year brotherhood has been been registered once again,” Bahçeli said. “Everyone has won—whether Turk or Kurd, regardless of language or identity.”
The legislation follows months of renewed political dialogue over the Kurdish issue. In recent statements conveyed through the DEM Party İmralı Delegation, Abdullah Öcalan has repeatedly called for a new legal framework to advance the peace process, describing it as the beginning of a historic democratization process and urging political actors to support legislation that would open “the door… to a democratic republic.”