Turkey's Grand National Assembly late on Monday approved a framework bill linked to the "Terror-Free Turkey" process and the end of the PKK's armed campaign, in what is being described as the most significant parliamentary step to date on the Kurdish issue.
According to NûMedya24, the bill on "strengthening national solidarity and social integration" was approved after an all-day debate by 468 votes in favour, 88 against and six abstentions. Following the vote, parliament adjourned until 1 October.
The legislation had earlier been endorsed by the Justice Committee after 18 hours of deliberations, with support from lawmakers of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) and the New Party. The full chamber debated the bill under procedures reserved for "basic legislation".
Implementation of the law is subject to specific conditions.
The provisions will only come into force if the relevant security agencies determine that the PKK and affiliated organisations have ended their activities and surrendered all weapons and ammunition. That determination must be confirmed by the National Security Council and published in the Official Gazette.
The law does not provide for a general or individual amnesty.
Instead, under the specified conditions, it allows for the suspension of investigations, prosecutions and the execution of sentences for certain offences.
For offences carrying sentences of up to 15 years, a five-year suspension is envisaged, while offences carrying heavier penalties would be subject to a 10-year suspension.
Among the offences excluded from the provisions are homicide and certain crimes punishable by life imprisonment.
Oversight of the process will be entrusted to a special body chaired by the Vice President of Turkey, with the participation of the ministers of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defence, as well as the heads of the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) and the National Security Council.
Weapons and equipment surrendered under the process will be formally registered, while individuals seeking to benefit from the measures will have six months from publication of the relevant decision to apply.
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party welcomed the passage of the framework legislation, describing it as a "historic milestone" for the peace process and the building of a democratic society.
The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said it supported the initiative as a first step towards removing the Kurdish issue from the sphere of armed conflict, while also calling for democratic reforms, respect for rulings of Turkey's Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, and an end to the appointment of government trustees to municipalities.
The İYİ Party voted against the bill, while the Felicity Party offered conditional support, arguing that any lasting solution requires justice, the rule of law, social integration and stronger protection of fundamental rights.
Source: CNA
