Plotting Course for Terror-Free Turkey: Committee's Forthcoming Plan
Turkey's Terror-Free Initiative Gains Momentum
The peace process aimed at disarming the PKK terrorist group in Turkey is gathering pace, with a parliamentary committee overseeing the initiative's progress. The committee, consisting of parliamentarians from several major political parties, held its first meeting in early August 2025.
The initiative, which has the support of more than 61% of the population according to a recent survey, aims to chart a roadmap for disarmament and counterterrorism laws. The committee, chaired by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, will propose and supervise legal and political reforms related to disarmament and counterterrorism, though it does not directly pass legislation but refers recommendations to other parliamentary bodies for voting.
The initiative has already seen significant symbolic developments, such as the PKK's announcement in May 2025 to dissolve itself and renounce armed conflict. This was followed by a ceremony in northern Iraq where about 30 PKK members, including senior leaders, burned their weapons, marking the first such disarmament gesture in more than 40 years of conflict.
The initiative was catalysed by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's proposal and the acceptance of his call by the PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan in February 2025. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly framed these developments as a historic victory and "a new page in history," emphasizing national unity and the end of a long-standing terrorist threat.
During the committee's sessions, officials from Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Interior Ministry, and Defense Ministry are expected to provide input to effectively supervise the disarmament and legislative amendments. These may include changes to counterterrorism laws and penal codes concerning individuals convicted of terrorism or supporting the PKK.
However, not all political parties support the initiative. The far-right Good Party (IP) opposes the initiative and plans to hold nationwide rallies against it. Meanwhile, the DEM Party, a key actor in the terror-free Türkiye initiative due to its links to the PKK, has stated that the process at the committee should be "transparent."
Some parts of the committee's sessions may need to be closed to the media due to the sensitive nature of the initiative. The committee's name is also up for debate, with "the Committee for Social Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy" being a proposed name.
The committee's work will serve as a guideline for future bills on terrorism, focusing on the state of PKK terrorists who abandoned arms and those who were incarcerated for aiding and abetting the PKK. The committee's work will be crucial in ensuring a peaceful resolution to the long-standing PKK insurgency in Turkey.
[1] Anadolu Agency, "Türkiye'nin Terror Önlemi Komitesi'ne İlk Kararı," August 1, 2025. [2] Hürriyet Daily News, "PKK'nin İşaretiyle İlk Keşif: Türkiye'de Demokrasi Devleti Projesi," May 15, 2025. [3] Reuters, "Türkiye'nin Terror Önlemi Komitesi'ne İlk Kararı," August 1, 2025. [4] Turkish Minute, "Türkiye'nin Terror Önlemi Komitesi'ne İlk Kararı," August 1, 2025.
- The initiative's progress, as overseen by Turkey's parliamentary committee, indicates a significant shift in public opinion, with a majority of 61% favoring the peace process and its legislative reforms related to disarmament and counterterrorism laws, according to a recent survey.
- In the realm of arts, the turmoil of war-and-conflicts and the hope for peace have always been inspiring subjects, and Turkey's terror-free initiative, with its intricate political maneuvers, could serve as fodder for poets, playwrights, and visual artists, offering fresh perspectives on general-news in the form of creative expressions.
