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The Turkish Parliament approved a landmark bill Monday setting out the legal framework for the next phase of the country's "Terror-Free Türkiye" process, marking one of the most consequential legislative steps in efforts to permanently end PKK terrorism.
"The Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration" passed the 600-seat Parliament with 468 votes in favor, 88 against and 6 abstentions. A total of 562 lawmakers took part in the vote.
The legislation had cleared Parliament's Justice Committee on Saturday after 17.5 hours of deliberations.
The measure establishes procedures for postponing investigations, prosecutions and the execution of sentences after Turkish security institutions determine that the PKK/KCK and all affiliated structures have ended their actual existence and surrendered all weapons and ammunition under their control.
Those provisions will become applicable only after a National Security Council decision confirming that determination is published in the Official Gazette.
The bill covers offenses including establishing or leading the PKK/KCK, membership in the organization, knowingly and willingly aiding it, propaganda offenses, crimes committed as part of the organization's activities and offenses committed on its behalf under Türkiye's law on preventing the financing of terrorism.
Under the legislation, investigations and prosecutions for covered offenses carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years or less can be postponed for five years. Those involving sentences of more than 15 years, life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment can be postponed for 10 years.
The provision does not apply to intentional homicide committed as part of the organization's activities or to certain offenses committed before June 1, 2005, that carry life or aggravated life sentences.
If a person commits a terrorism offense during the postponement period, the decision will be revoked and the investigation or prosecution will resume.
If the postponement period expires without another terrorism offense being committed, prosecutors or courts will issue a decision not to prosecute or dismiss the case, depending on the stage of the proceedings.
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Similar provisions apply to the execution of sentences. Prison terms of 15 years or less can be postponed for five years, while sentences exceeding 15 years, as well as life and aggravated life sentences falling within the scope of the legislation, can be postponed for 10 years.
If the specified period passes without a terrorism offense being committed, the sentence will be deemed served.
A board chaired by the vice president and including senior government and security officials will oversee implementation of the legislation. Parliament will also establish a monitoring commission.
People seeking to benefit from the legislation will have six months from the publication of the relevant National Security Council decision to submit a written application to the designated authorities.
The unusually high level of support placed the vote among some of the most significant parliamentary tallies in Türkiye's recent political history. A 2002 constitutional amendment, for example, passed with 440 votes.
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