Turkish Parliament Speaker Reaffirms Commitment to ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ Through Legislative Process
Turkish Parliament launches 'Terror-Free Türkiye' peace initiative, establishing commission to resolve Kurdish issue through dialogue and legislation.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, on Tuesday reaffirmed the Parliament’s central role in advancing the new national peace initiative, known as the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process.
Speaking during a session on June 3, 2025, Kurtulmuş emphasized that the era of terrorism must be permanently closed in Türkiye. “Terrorism will no longer be on our national agenda,” he declared, underlining the collective responsibility of all political actors to elevate democratic values and consolidate peace across the country, including the Kurdish-majority regions in the southeast.
Parliament to Anchor Peace Process
Kurtulmuş revealed that the renewed peace framework would be launched through a parliamentary commission, designed to serve as a platform for all political parties to contribute constructively to resolving the Kurdish question and broader societal issues.
The initiative, which signals a new phase of institutional dialogue following years of stagnation, is expected to coordinate proposals, review legal amendments, and steer the debate around reconciliation through legislative mechanisms. “We are determined to carry this process forward through the Parliament,” he stressed, calling on all parties to fulfill their moral and political responsibilities.
Justice Reform Package Passed Amid Criticism
The statement came just a day after the Turkish Parliament approved a comprehensive justice reform bill presented by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The reform package—known as the 10th Judicial Reform—includes the restructuring of the penal code and eight additional laws.
A key element of the package is the conditional release of nearly 19,800 prisoners, including elderly and ill detainees. Simultaneously, penalties for certain offenses have been increased, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from legal experts and opposition lawmakers.
Previously, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) had endorsed justice reform as one of the prerequisites for reigniting the peace process. However, after the final bill was submitted, many opposition groups expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the package failed to address their core demands.
Criticism Over Exclusion of Political Prisoners
Several lawmakers, including members of the DEM Party, criticized the package for excluding any provisions related to the release of political prisoners, particularly those detained on charges related to the Kurdish issue. The exclusion was seen as a step backward from the broader goal of national reconciliation.
While the AKP defends the bill as part of its vision for judicial modernization, opposition voices argue that without meaningful gestures—such as addressing the legal status of Kurdish political figures and detainees—claims of a peace initiative may ring hollow.
Kurtulmuş’s renewed pledge to steer the process through Parliament is thus viewed as a critical test for the sincerity and inclusiveness of the government's approach.
As Türkiye navigates a complex political landscape, expectations remain high for a peace initiative that is not only comprehensive but also grounded in justice and recognition of Kurdish rights within the constitutional framework.
