Türkiye’s peace process entered its most significant institutional phase on 5 August with the formal submission to Parliament of the draft Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion. The peace process has now entered its second stage, with the draft law providing a roadmap for implementation while reflecting the complexity of the legal and political issues that remain to be addressed.
Submitted with the signatures of MPs from the AK Party, MHP, DEM Party, CHP, the New Path Group and HÜDA PAR, the draft reflects an unusually broad level of parliamentary support despite continuing political differences. It is expected to proceed to the General Assembly following review by the Justice Committee. Initial reactions have been broadly measured, though its longer-term political and public impact remains uncertain.
The submission of the bill marks an important political turning point. Debate has shifted from whether the peace process required a legal framework to how the next phase should be implemented, verified and monitored. The governing alliance presents the legislation as the legal foundation of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, while MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli has described it as a historic step providing the legal and institutional guarantees necessary to complete the process.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
The draft law establishes the legal framework governing the DDR process. It applies to offences relating to establishing or leading the PKK/KCK, membership of the organisation, knowingly assisting it, disseminating its propaganda, offences committed in furtherance of its activities, and terrorism financing offences committed for its benefit. It excludes intentional homicide committed within the organisation’s activities, together with investigations and prosecutions relating to offences committed before 1 June 2005 carrying life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment.
For individuals falling within its scope, criminal investigations, prosecutions and the execution of custodial sentences may be deferred for five years where the maximum sentence does not exceed fifteen years’ imprisonment, and for ten years where offences carry longer prison terms, life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment. Where no further offence is committed during the deferment period, proceedings may be discontinued and deferred sentences deemed to have been served. Statutory limitation periods are suspended during deferment, while the Council established under the legislation may request the removal of legal disabilities once the statutory conditions have been met.
Political Reactions
Political reactions reflect broad but qualified parliamentary support. The AK Party, MHP and DEM Party have welcomed the legislation, while the CHP and the New Path Group have backed the process but called for greater transparency, stronger parliamentary oversight and broader democratic reforms. Although the New Party did not co-sign the bill, its leader, Özgür Özel, stated that the party’s support for the peace process remained unchanged and that its decision reflected concerns over the way the bill had been prepared and submitted rather than opposition to the process itself. The İYİ Party continues to oppose the legislation, while the New Welfare Party has reiterated its call for a public referendum. Meanwhile, both TİP and EMEP have welcomed efforts to end the conflict but argue that implementation should be accompanied by wider democratisation measures.
Path to Implementation
The legislation will become operational once the competent security institutions determine that the armed group and its affiliated structures have ended their organisational activities and surrendered all weapons under their control, with this determination confirmed by the National Security Council (MGK) and published in the Official Gazette. The MGK decision therefore serves as the legal mechanism bringing the law into effect rather than the starting point of implementation. Implementation will be coordinated by a high-level Council chaired by the Vice President, with parliamentary oversight provided by a seventeen-member Monitoring Commission within the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). Detailed procedures for disarmament and weapons surrender will be set out in secondary legislation, while individuals seeking to benefit from the law must apply within six months of the publication of the MGK decision.
Outlook
The transition from legislation to implementation marks the second stage of the peace process and shifts attention from political agreement to effective implementation. While the draft provides an important legal framework, its success will depend on careful coordination, further legislation and sustained confidence-building among political actors and civil society. DPI will continue to support this work, with a particular focus on implementation arrangements, emerging policy challenges and lessons from comparative peace processes.