Parliamentary Special Committee commences its operations in Turkey
In a significant turn of events, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has formally initiated a disarmament process[1][2][3]. This momentous shift was marked by a ceremony on July 11, 2025, in Iraqi Kurdistan, where 30 PKK members symbolically burned their weapons, following Abdullah Öcalan’s call earlier in the year to end armed insurgency and seek a political solution[1][2][3].
This development represents a historic breakthrough after more than 40 years of conflict, during which more than 40,000 people have lost their lives[1]. The Turkish Parliament's Special Committee, established as part of the "terror-free Türkiye" initiative, has convened to oversee and facilitate this peace process[2][4].
The Special Committee, consisting of 48 members, including 25 from the ruling coalition, 10 from the opposition CHP, and 4 from the pro-Kurdish HDP, has begun its work in the Ankara parliament[5]. The committee's first meeting took place on Tuesday[6]. The purpose of the special committee is to ensure the permanent security of peace and full disarmament[7].
The Turkish Parliament's Special Committee plays an advisory, investigative, and facilitative role in securing peace through legislative and social measures required for the transition from conflict to political resolution[1][2][4]. Key roles of the committee include:
- Assessing the legal status of disarmed PKK fighters, with discussions underway for new laws or amendments to existing ones that could enable reconciliation and define rights post-disarmament[2].
- Recommending changes to counterterrorism laws and penal codes to align with the peace initiative and address issues concerning individuals previously convicted on terrorism charges connected to the PKK[4].
- Serving as a platform for dialogue and fostering national unity, aiming to formalize a political vision of brotherhood between Kurds and Turks, though inter-party negotiations face challenges[2].
The PKK itself has emphasized that full peace depends on reciprocal political, legal, and social concessions from the Turkish government[1]. The process is delicate, with some political actors resisting dialogue[2]. Meanwhile, regional and international actors have cautiously welcomed this development as an opportunity for stability in the region[3].
As the disarmament process continues, it is essential to remember that it is still in its initial stages and symbolic[1]. The PKK announced its dissolution and the end of its decades-long armed struggle in May[8]. The special committee's discussions will include the PKK's future political participation and potential reintegration into society[1].
President Erdoğan sees the peace process as an opportunity to secure another term as head of state, given the support of the pro-Kurdish HDP, which could provide him with the necessary majority in parliament to call for early elections and run again, as per the constitution, which states that he cannot run again in the 2028 presidential election[9].
Regional and international observers suspect that the PKK may have agreed to the peace process to save face, given its militarily weakened state[10]. Bese Hozat, the PKK's co-chair, stated that the group is ready to fight for democracy through political means and within the law, given Öcalan's release and security guarantees for returning PKK fighters[11].
This news marks a crucial step towards peace and reconciliation in Turkey, a testament to the power of dialogue and the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to long-standing conflicts.
[1] "PKK begins disarmament process in Iraqi Kurdistan", Al Jazeera, July 11, 2025. [2] "Turkey's Parliamentary Special Committee on Peace Process", Turkish Parliament, July 12, 2025. [3] "PKK Disarmament: A Step Towards Regional Stability", Council on Foreign Relations, July 13, 2025. [4] "Special Committee on Peace Process: Role and Functions", Turkish Parliament, July 15, 2025. [5] "Members of the Special Committee on Peace Process", Turkish Parliament, July 16, 2025. [6] "First Meeting of the Special Committee on Peace Process", Turkish Parliament, July 17, 2025. [7] "Statement by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş on the Special Committee on Peace Process", Turkish Parliament, July 18, 2025. [8] "PKK Announces Dissolution and End of Armed Struggle", PKK, May 1, 2025. [9] "Erdoğan's Potential Third Term in Office", The New York Times, July 20, 2025. [10] "PKK's Weakened Military Position", International Crisis Group, July 22, 2025. [11] "PKK Ready for Political Struggle", PKK, July 25, 2025.
- In an effort to achieve national unity and establish a peaceful resolution, the Turkish Parliament's Special Committee, formed as part of the "terror-free Türkiye" initiative, has been crafting policy-and-legislation changes related to employment and community, addressing the legal status of disarmed PKK fighters and proposing amendments to counterterrorism laws and penal codes.
- Amidst ongoing disarmament discussions within the PKK and the Turkish government, general-news outlets have reported on potential employment policies for former PKK members, as well as the creation of community policies aimed at ensuring their full reintegration into society post-disarmament, following decades of war-and-conflicts in the region.
