Turkey's ruling coalition submitted a draft law to parliament on Wednesday that would protect thousands of former PKK mi...

Turkey's ruling coalition submitted a draft law to parliament on Wednesday that would protect thousands of former PKK militants from prosecution and suspend prison sentences for others, marking the most concrete legislative step yet toward ending a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people since 1984. The bill would allow former militants and civilians currently sheltering in northern Iraq to return to Turkey within six months of the law passing. Those not convicted of killings would receive legal protection, while members convicted of PKK membership or aiding the group would have their sentences suspended. PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned since 1999 on an aggravated life sentence, is explicitly excluded from the protections. Ocalan called on the PKK to disarm and disband last year, and the group agreed. Turkey's national security council would verify the group's disarmament. A committee including the vice president, key ministers, and the head of MIT, Turkey's intelligence agency, would oversee the surrender and disarmament process. The bill is backed by President Erdogan's AK Party, its nationalist MHP allies, and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. Most opposition parties have also voiced support. With a parliamentary majority behind it, the law is expected to pass later this week, though polls show public scepticism about whether it will produce lasting peace. The peace process between Turkey and the PKK began in late 2024 but nearly stalled earlier this year due to regional instability tied to the Iran war. The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The group launched its insurgency in 1984, originally seeking an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey before later shifting focus to autonomy and political rights. DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan said Wednesday that the country was taking its first step and expressed hope the process would continue in a positive direction. #Turkey #PKK #MiddleEast