The Turkish Parliament convened the first meeting of a landmark parliamentary committee tasked with advancing the "Terror-Free Türkiye" initiative, a bold effort aimed at ending decades of violence associated with the PKK terrorist group.

Speaking at the meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş described the initiative as a "turning point" and a "vital moment to shape tomorrow" for Türkiye, emphasizing the need for unity and decisive action to secure a peaceful future.

The committee, comprising 51 parliamentarians from multiple political parties, including the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Republican People’s Party (CHP), Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), and smaller parties such as the New Path bloc, Türkiye Labor Party (TIP), and Democratic Left Party (DSP), gathered to outline the initiative’s roadmap. The committee’s primary focus is to oversee the disarmament of the PKK, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, and to propose legal and political frameworks to support the process.

Kurtulmuş, who chaired the meeting, opened with a speech underscoring the historic significance of the initiative, which follows the PKK’s symbolic disarmament declaration on July 11, 2025, and a ceremony in northern Iraq where 30 PKK members destroyed their weapons. He stressed that the committee’s work would prioritize transparency and inclusivity while addressing sensitive aspects of the process, with some sessions potentially closed to the media due to their delicate nature.

The "Terror-Free Türkiye" initiative, first proposed by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli in 2024, gained momentum after PKK’s jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan called for the group’s dissolution in February 2025. The initiative has since seen significant progress, with the PKK announcing its intent to disband in May and beginning disarmament earlier this month. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is actively monitoring the process, while the parliamentary committee is tasked with drafting recommendations for reintegrating former PKK members into society, exploring leniency for those not involved in terror acts, and addressing potential amendments to Türkiye’s counterterrorism laws.

The committee’s formation has not been without controversy. The opposition CHP, while supportive, has pushed for a permanent, law-backed standing committee with formal authority, criticizing the current temporary structure established by presidential decision. The DEM Party, a key player due to its historical links to the PKK, has advocated for a broader approach that includes addressing the "Kurdish question" and ensuring democratic solutions. Meanwhile, the nationalist Good Party (IP) has opted out, staging rallies in August to protest the initiative, aligning with its voter base’s skepticism.

Recent updates indicate that the committee will meet up to four times weekly, focusing on reports from intelligence and security agencies monitoring PKK compliance. Media reports suggest full disarmament could take up to five months, with discussions underway regarding regulations similar to the 2003 "Homecoming Law," which offered lenient sentences for PKK members not involved in attacks. A recent survey by ASAL polling shows over 61% public support for the initiative, reflecting a national desire for peace amid regional tensions.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly framed the initiative as a national project, stating at a recent cabinet meeting, “The terror-free Türkiye process is a dream, a wish, and an expectation of the 86 million. We see this dream coming true step by step.” He emphasized that the process is not a negotiation but a determined campaign to eliminate terrorism from Türkiye’s agenda.

As the committee begins its work, it faces the challenge of balancing political sensitivities, public expectations, and security concerns. The initiative’s success hinges on the PKK’s continued disarmament and the committee’s ability to forge a unified path toward a terror-free future, cementing Turkish-Kurdish unity in a region fraught with conflict. (ILKHA)