Turkish Justice Minister outlines Commission's significant part in pursuit of "Terror-free Turkey" objective
Turkey Establishes Parliamentary Commission for "Terror-Free Türkiye" Initiative
The Turkish Parliament is set to establish a new commission aimed at overseeing and advancing the peace process following the PKK's disarmament and announced dissolution. The commission, which will start its work in early August 2025, is a key platform for charting a roadmap for a terror-free Türkiye.
The commission will be composed of 51 members from all political parties except for the Good Party (IP). Major parties such as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) have appointed members to the committee. Notable CHP members include Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Murat Emir and human rights advocate Sezgin Tanrıkulu. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which initiated the peace effort, will have a central role, with Deputy Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş chairing the committee, though he does not vote.
The commission will focus on the legal and political aspects of the "terror-free Türkiye" process. It will convene up to four times weekly, debating reports from intelligence and security units monitoring the PKK's disarmament. The committee will also hear from NGOs, jurists, and stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive approach, aiming to draft bills to be presented to the Parliament’s general assembly for approval.
The Good Party has rejected participation in the commission and plans rallies opposing the process. CHP reportedly seeks equal representation for all parties on the committee, though this has not been confirmed officially.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç has emphasized the importance of the government's "terror-free Türkiye" initiative. In an interview with private broadcaster NTV on July 30, he stated that the process ahead is very crucial and should be a permanent one. He did not specify a timeline for the permanence of the "terror-free Türkiye" process.
The minister also emphasized that political parties and lawmakers will significantly contribute to the process. However, he did not provide any new information about the commission's composition or roles. It is worth noting that he did not mention any specific state institutions closely following the process.
The first group of PKK members has symbolically burned their weapons, marking a significant turning point in Turkey's history. The minister, however, stated that the dissolution and disarmament of the terror organization is not a result of a negotiation. He did not specify which terror organization he was referring to in his statement.
The commission's role will include shaping the process, ensuring its continuity, and making decisions aligned with its works. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has not yet announced its final decision about joining the commission. The works and decisions made by the government in line with the commission will be important.
[1] Anadolu Agency, "Terror-free Türkiye commission to include 51 members from all parties except Good Party," url [2] Reuters, "Turkey to form parliamentary commission for 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative," url [3] Al Jazeera, "Turkey: PKK disarms in symbolic move towards peace," url [4] CNN, "Turkey's PKK burns weapons in symbolic move towards peace," url
The Turkish parliamentary commission, tasked with overseeing the "terror-free Türkiye" initiative, will discuss policies and legislation related to war-and-conflicts and politics. This commission, comprised of 51 members from various political parties, will collaborate with NGOs, jurists, and stakeholders to establish a comprehensive approach for addressing the issue.
The commission's focus on the legal and political aspects of the process highlights its role in drafting bills and shaping policy to ensure a lasting solution, aligned with the general news of Turkey's efforts to sustain peace through policy-and-legislation.
