Turkey’s Parliament Set to Launch Peace Process Committee in August
Türkiye's peace committee to launch next month with 51 MPs, aiming to resolve Kurdish issue through dialogue. Follows PKK's symbolic disarmament and Ocalan's call for political solution. Speaker Kurtulmuş: 'This requires genuine will, not time.'
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş announced on Sunday that the newly proposed parliamentary committee dedicated to advancing the country’s peace process will officially begin its work at the start of next month, signaling a renewed political commitment to resolving the Kurdish issue through dialogue.
Committee to Support Democratic Engagement
Speaking during a public ceremony in Çanakkale on Sunday, Kurtulmuş emphasized the critical role of the upcoming committee, stressing that its work will be foundational in strengthening Turkish democracy and fostering inclusive national dialogue. He called on the Turkish public to lend their full support to the process.
“This new phase of the peace process does not require long timeframes,” Kurtulmuş noted. “It requires a sound approach and genuine will.”
Parliamentary Bloc Allocations Finalized
Earlier on July 25, the parliament’s leadership formally requested that all political party blocs submit names for the 51-member committee. Under the agreed distribution, the ruling AKP will hold 21 seats, the CHP 10 seats, while the DEM Party and MHP will each have four. The IYI Party and the New Welfare Party are allocated three seats apiece, while the remaining seats will go to representatives from HÜDA-PAR, the Workers' Party, the Labor Party, the Democratic Party, and the Social Democratic Party.
PKK Symbolic Disarmament Signals Shift
The committee’s launch comes just two weeks after 30 PKK members symbolically laid down their arms in a ceremony held in the Jasana cave region of Sulaimani’s Sordash district on July 11. The move was described by observers as a significant gesture marking a turning point toward political resolution.
Turkish authorities have framed the peace initiative as part of a vision for a “terror-free Turkey,” while the pro-Kurdish DEM Party describes it as a “peace and political solution process” for addressing Kurdish grievances.
Ocalan’s Appeal for Political Resolution
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned for 26 years, had previously called on his party in February 2025 to convene a congress, step down from armed struggle, and pursue a peaceful political path. The PKK followed suit in early May by holding its 12th congress, where it officially announced an end to armed operations.
Path Forward Hinges on Democratic Momentum
Kurtulmuş reiterated that PKK's declared withdrawal from violence must be met with institutional readiness. “If this process unfolds properly,” he stated, “it will ensure that violence never again claims this land.”
As Turkey prepares for the formal launch of the peace committee, all eyes will be on whether the multiparty body can translate symbolic gestures and high-level political will into sustainable democratic outcomes.
