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Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said Wednesday that the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process has been carried out with broad political and social consensus while preserving national sensitivities and the country’s fundamental state structure.
“We tried to strike a balance that would be accepted by the families of our martyrs, our veterans, the collective conscience, and the overwhelming majority of society,” Kurtulmus said during the Anadolu Agency Editors’ Desk program in Ankara.
He said debates over the basic characteristics of the state had not emerged at any stage of the process.
“The process has been conducted with a common determination that protects national sensitivities and the entire structure of the state. That is why it has received broad support,” he said.
“Our nation can rest assured. A law prepared with such great care and adopted with such broad consensus will never harm our national interests,” he added.
Referring to parliament’s adoption of the framework law, Kurtulmus said the result reflected public backing for the initiative.
“The atmosphere of peace and well-being has been embraced by society as a whole. This is its reflection in politics,” he said, adding that the vote represented “the nation’s support for a Terror-Free Türkiye being reflected in politics.”
The Turkish Parliament on Monday passed the Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion, which was prepared as part of the Terror-Free Türkiye process.
The legislation was approved after about 12 hours of debate, with 468 lawmakers voting in favor, 88 against and six abstaining.
The vote amounted to nearly four-fifths of the 600-seat Parliament and marked the first legislative step under the initiative.
“This achievement belongs not only to one political party but to Türkiye as a whole,” Kurtulmus said after the vote.
“We will follow the process carefully and meticulously. As a nation, we will demonstrate that we have embraced this process,” he added.
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also described the vote as significant.
“The 468 votes in favor of the Terror-Free Türkiye process law are extremely important and valuable in terms of political consensus and broad public support,” Yilmaz said.
“The goal of a Terror-Free Türkiye has been developed through the dedicated efforts of our institutions and a common understanding. The principles of our state and the values of our nation have never been compromised,” he added.
Kurtulmus said Türkiye, as a country with regional ambitions in a difficult geography, must strengthen its internal unity.
“In such a difficult geography, Türkiye, as a country with aspirations, is obliged to fortify its inner stronghold. This process began with that understanding,” he said.
Kurtulmus said the winners of the previous era were “imperialists with dirty hands and blood in their bags.”
“We will break this game. Türkiye has demonstrated this will,” he said.
He also argued that the model being developed could eventually become an international example.
“When the Türkiye model we have put forward is completed, it will set an example for the entire world and will be taught in universities,” Kurtulmus said.
Calling for a broader style of politics, he said political actors should move beyond their own “echo chambers” and develop a language that speaks to all segments of society.
“What matters is creating the political maturity and integration in which no Kurdish young person in this country will ever again say, ‘I need to go to the mountains,’” he added.
Kurtulmus said he believes the political climate has matured enough for Türkiye to draft a new civilian constitution, adding that the current atmosphere encourages such a step.
The bill establishes a conditional legal framework for certain investigations, prosecutions, convictions and the enforcement of prison sentences after the verified dissolution and disarmament of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization and its affiliated structures.
The mechanism will become applicable only after Türkiye’s security institutions determine that the PKK/KCK and its affiliated structures have ended their activities and surrendered all weapons and ammunition under their control.
The National Security Council (MGK) must then confirm that determination, with the decision published in the Official Gazette.
Only after that stage can eligible individuals apply to benefit from the measures under the legislation.
Applications must be submitted in writing within six months of the MGK decision's publication to a chief public prosecutor’s office or an institution designated by the oversight board.
The law covers offenses such as membership in, aiding, or promoting the terrorist organization, alongside crimes committed through its activities and terrorism financing.
For cases carrying up to 15 years in prison, legal proceedings may be delayed for five years.
For offenses with penalties over 15 years, life imprisonment, or aggravated life imprisonment, the delay lasts 10 years.
The same timelines apply to final prison sentences already handed down: five years for total sentences up to 15 years, and 10 years for longer terms, including life and aggravated life imprisonment.
However, the rule excludes intentional killings linked to the group. It also excludes certain crimes committed before June 1, 2005.
The bill clarifies that this is not an amnesty; it does not wipe out convictions, and it does not end legal blame. Instead, it is a "limited and conditional" system.
If a person commits another terrorism crime during the delay, the benefit is cancelled. Their court case or prison sentence then restarts right away.
If they stay out of trouble, their open cases are dropped, and any final prison sentences are counted as fully served.
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The bill establishes an oversight board chaired by Türkiye’s vice president.
Its members include the ministers of justice, foreign affairs, interior and national defense, the secretary-general of the Presidency, the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the secretary-general of the National Security Council.
The board will monitor implementation, periodically assess whether the organization has fully dissolved based on observation reports and may seek additional judicial, administrative or legislative measures when necessary.
It will also periodically review decisions made under the framework.
Parliament will retain an oversight role. The board will regularly brief lawmakers, while a parliamentary Monitoring Commission will follow implementation and issue recommendations.
The legislation may also not be the final measure under the broader process. Its explanatory rationale says additional amendments or new legislation could be introduced depending on emerging needs, accumulated experience and changing circumstances.
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