Who in Turkey is afraid of peace with the Kurds?

World Service - Some opponents of the peace process in Turkey are concerned about the political and social consequences of integrating the Kurds into the Turkish political structure; their concerns are more related to maintaining the existing situations and fear of change than to purely security considerations.

Fragile Guarantees of the New Law for Amnesty of Öcalan and PKK Members

World Service- According to a legal expert, although the new law provides a path for return and the benefit of a postponement of punishment, the broad powers of the executive branch and the ambiguity in the decision-making criteria have raised serious questions about the legal security of returnees.

Peace is not possible without recognizing the Kurdish language

Service Turkey – Representatives of institutions active in the field of the Kurdish language in Van, pointing to the shortcomings of the framework law, called for recognizing the status of the Kurdish language, providing education in the mother tongue, and including the linguistic and cultural rights of the Kurds in the new laws.

The fate of Öcalan and the Kurds under the new law

World Service- The Turkish parliament has passed a new law that has paved the way for thousands of former PKK members to return to normal life, but the law has not yet clarified the fate of Abdullah Öcalan and some senior PKK leaders, and important questions remain about the political and cultural rights of the Kurds.

New York Times:

Turkey’s Peace Process Could Be a Model for Gaza and Lebanon

In an article originally written by Aydin Taşbaş, the New York Times newspaper assessed the process of disarming the PKK and passing the framework law as an attempt to transfer an armed conflict to the political arena; an experience that, in the author’s view, despite all the differences, could have lessons for the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Framework Law Enters into Force; Two-Month Deadline for Completion and Verification of PKK Disarmament

Service Turkey – With the publication of the Framework Law in the Turkish Official Gazette, the Follow-up and Coordination Board began its activities. According to reports, a two-month deadline has been set for completing the PKK disarmament process and its field verification, and if this stage is completed, an evaluation report is likely to be presented at the October meeting of the Turkish National Security Council.

Abdullah Zeidan:

With the peace process, no more government-appointed mayors will sit on municipalities

Service Turkey – Abdullah Zeidan, the co-elected mayor of Van, who was dismissed by the Turkish Interior Ministry and replaced by an appointed mayor, described the framework law as a historic but incomplete step. In his view, the legal recognition of Kurdish identity contradicts the policy of appointing government mayors to municipalities, and the progress of the peace process can pave the way for the end of this policy and the return of city management to elected officials.

Is Turkey really ready to reconcile with the Kurds?

World Service - The new law of the Turkish parliament is the most important legal step to end the armed rebellion of the PKK in the past four decades, but the future of this process will not be determined by the passage of the law, but by the release of Ocalan, the political rights of the Kurds and the implementation of Ankara's commitments.

People's Joyful Help at the Govar Culture and Art Festival with a Message of Peace

Service Turkey – The first Govar Culture and Art Festival began with the presence of a large number of people in the village of Memkan in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari province. Participants in the festival declared their support for the peace process with slogans of "Long Live Öcalan".

Devlet Bahçeli:

Abdullah Ocalan's conditions must be improved to support the peace process

Service Turkey - The leader of the National Movement Party considered the Framework Law the beginning of a new stage in the peace process and democratic society and called for the improvement of Abdullah Ocalan's conditions so that he could continue to support this process. He also listed the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and the realization of justice as issues that can be raised in the future stages of the peace process.

Dissolution of the SDF is also within the framework of the peace process law

Syria Service - MHP Deputy Chairman Fethi Yildiz announced that the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is also within the framework of the special law of the peace process in Turkey.

Karayilan:

Öcalan's release is a necessary condition for the peace process

Service Turkey – Murat Karayilan, a member of the People's Defense Center Command, assessed the framework law as a new and valuable step but with serious shortcomings. In his view, reducing the century-old Kurdish issue to the laying down of guerrilla weapons and not specifying the status of Abdullah Öcalan limits the possibility of achieving a radical solution.

Bakrkhan:

Turks should not be afraid of the peace process; democracy will come

Service Turkey – Tuncer Bakrkhan, co-chair of the Dem Party, considered the process initiated by Abdullah Ocalan as an opportunity for a lasting end to the conflicts and the expansion of democracy in Turkey, and assured that the Kurds' enjoyment of linguistic and educational rights will not diminish anything from other groups in society.

Cases of 3,800 PKK members to be reviewed in three groups

Service Turkey – Following the approval of the framework law, details of the anticipated judicial process for approximately 3,800 PKK members housed in 18 camps were published. According to Turkish media reports, the cases of these individuals will be reviewed in three groups according to the judicial stage, and a separate process has been planned for the wanted members.

Current Situation of the PKK

World Service - One year after the PKK announced its dissolution and abandonment of armed struggle, a number of its forces still remain in the Qandil Mountains, but not to continue the war, but rather to await the implementation of a law that will determine the path for their return to Turkey.

Imrali delegation meets with Erdogan; emphasizes implementation of court rulings and resolute continuation of peace process

Service Turkey – Parvin Boldan and Medhat Sencer, members of the Imrali delegation of the Democratic Party, discussed the implementation of the Framework Law and the future stages of the peace process and democratic society in a meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Before the meeting, the Imrali delegation had called for the immediate implementation of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court and the rapid formation of law enforcement bodies; after the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their common will to resolutely continue the process.

Is the new law enough to bring peace between the Kurds and Turkey?

World News - The approval of the Framework Law on the Disarmament and Dissolution of the PKK has brought a process that began in late 2024 into the legal and executive stage, but its success depends on the verification of the PKK's disarmament and the decision of Turkey's security and judicial institutions.

Nechirvan Barzani:

I appreciate Erdogan; peace and dialogue are the best option

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service- Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, welcomed the approval of the law "Strengthening National Unity and Social Coexistence" in the Turkish Parliament, saying that peace and dialogue are the best option and that the era of weapons and military solutions has ended.

Öcalan's lawyer:

We expect Öcalan and all excluded individuals to be included in the framework law's freedom

Turkey Service – Fayek Özgür Erol, a member of the İmralı Democrat Party's board, said that the implementation of the framework law could lead to the release of thousands of prisoners and the suspension of 75-80 thousand investigative and judicial cases. He called the exclusion of Abdullah Öcalan and a number of others from the law's scope an "unfair restriction" and expressed hope that the Supreme Executive Board would include them in the law during periodic assessments.

Nechirvan Barzani welcomes the approval of the Peace Framework Law in Turkey

Turkey Service – Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, called the approval of the Peace Framework Law in the Turkish Parliament a “courageous step” towards establishing lasting peace and stability in Turkey and throughout the region, and announced the Kurdistan Region’s full support for this process.

The Story of the Establishment and Dissolution of the PKK

World Service- The PKK was formed in 1978 under the leadership of Öcalan and six years later entered into armed conflict with the Turkish government; now its founder has called from prison to lay down arms and move the Kurdish issue to the political arena.

Decisive Autumn in Turkey; Is the Second Phase of the Peace Process Coming?

World Service - The Turkish Parliament has been closed until October 1 after the approval of the Framework Law, and it is expected that the return of the representatives will make the discussion on amending the Anti-Terrorism Law, the Penal Code, the Execution of Sentences and the Law on Parties the focus of the next stage of the peace process.

Surrender of the PKK or the birth of a democratic state?

World Service - The approval of the framework law on the issue of the peace process with the PKK in Turkey organizes the mechanism for the end of armed activity and the return of forces, but the fundamental demands of the Kurds are still awaiting future political and legal decisions; therefore, this law should be considered the beginning of the process, not the final agreement.

"Framework Law" Passed with 468 Votes in Turkish Parliament

Service Turkey – The "Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration" Law Proposal, prepared within the framework of the Peace and Democratic Society Process, was passed by a majority vote of the Turkish Parliament's General Assembly.

Bakr Khan:

Framework Law is the First Step in Moving the Kurdish Issue

Service Turkey – Tuncer Bakr Khan, co-chair of the Dem Party, supported the law “Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration” and said that this law is not a concession or a retreat, but the first step in moving the Kurdish issue from the field of conflict to the field of law and politics. At the same time, he emphasized that this text faces serious shortcomings and must be supplemented with democratic reforms, language rights, equal citizenship and strengthening local democracy.

This country has experienced enough war; now it is time for peace

Service Turkey - Ahmet Gunestekin, an artist and journalist, emphasized in a note about the "Framework Law" that the current opportunity for peace should not be limited to the cessation of weapons, but should lead to the establishment of justice, the expansion of freedoms, and the creation of a sense of legal security for all citizens.

Peace Law Goes to the Open House of Parliament; What Do We Know About It?

Turkey Service - The 12-article bill "Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration", which specifies the legal mechanisms for the disarmament and dissolution of the PKK, will be voted on in the Turkish Parliament's General Assembly today. All parties except the New Welfare Party and the Good Party are expected to vote in favor of this bill.

PKK leadership:

Without Öcalan's free role, many provisions of the "Framework Law" will not be implemented

Service Turkey - The PKK leadership, stating that the proposal for the "Framework Law" has serious errors and shortcomings, announced that the implementation of the stages foreseen in this law depends on the freedom and role of Abdullah Öcalan and the possibility of the guerrillas who have laid down their arms to engage in politics.

Demirtas and Mirzakli declare support for the peace process and the Framework Law

Turkey Service – Selahattin Demirtas and Selcuk Mirzakli, in a joint message about the "Framework Law", expressed their gratitude to Abdullah Öcalan and other individuals who have played a role in the peace process and said that this process should be carried out with a measured and responsible approach without creating a sense of victory or defeat.

Aysegul Doğan:

This law does not solve the Kurdish issue, but it opens a door 

Service Turkey – Aysegul Doğan, spokesperson for the Dem Party, considered the proposal for the “Framework Law” an important but insufficient step to solve the Kurdish issue and said that Abdullah Öcalan’s conditions must change in accordance with his role as the main negotiator of the process so that he can be present in the coordination mechanism.