Politics
Laws of terror-free Türkiye set to reintegrate PKK members
Türkiye has moved to the second stage in the terror-free Türkiye initiative for disarmament of the terrorist group PKK. After the group announced it would dissolve itself last year, a parliamentary committee recently approved a report for legislation to speed up the process.
The report, which will serve as a guide for Parliament to draft legislation, will help facilitate the process after authorities confirmed that the PKK fully abandoned arms.
The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, set up exclusively for the PKK’s disarmament, has heard from all segments of the society since last August and wrapped up the work with a report offering advice on the fate of PKK members. The report involves suggestions for the rehabilitation of terrorists after the complete dissolution of the PKK. The Justice Ministry will set up a working group for legislation while the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will call other political parties to set up an informal working group at Parliament to debate future legislation.
All legislative work will be preceded by a confirmation process by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Ministry of National Defense regarding the disarmament. A report will be presented by the National Security Council chaired by the president and if the MGK accepts that the PKK is dissolved and has abandoned its arms, it will start the legislation process.
Several legal amendments are already being planned for PKK members, including separate legal definitions for members. They will be categorized in three groups: those involved in acts of terrorism, those who were not involved and those already incarcerated in PKK-related crimes.
Members of the PKK who were not involved in any acts of terrorism will be subject to legal proceedings once they returned to Türkiye and judiciary control practices. The PKK announced last year that all of its members in Türkiye have left the country as part of the initiative. The PKK’s senior leadership and most members hide out in mountainous territories in northern Iraq, particularly in and around the Qandil mountain area. The nature of judiciary control is not clear, but it will most likely be similar to judiciary control for other crimes where convicts are required to report to local police station regularly and/or are banned from traveling abroad. PKK members in this category will also benefit from a string of rehabilitation and reintegration programs, including education, vocational training and psychiatric support.
The PKK is commanded by “veteran” terrorists who joined the group at a younger age and have had no life outside PKK hideouts. Lower ranks are populated by the youth who usually skipped school and were brainwashed to join the terrorist group. Starting over is expected to be difficult for those, especially members who lived outside Türkiye for years. Ministries and relevant institutions are expected to collaborate to create rehabilitation programs.
For those involved in acts of terrorism and those convicted and serving time, the Turkish Penal Code, the Penal Execution Law and the Counterterrorism Law will undergo amendments. The amendments will be exclusive to PKK members and will not cover members of other terrorist groups such as the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). A new law independent of others are also being considered, with a clear definition of PKK membership.
The group’s dissolution means cessation of several crimes under counterterrorism laws, such as membership of a terrorist group, aiding and abetting a terrorist group and propaganda of the same group. Under existing laws, PKK members face additional sentencing for the crime of “attempt to overthrow the constitutional order,” in addition to sentences for crimes of terrorism. Dissolution of the terrorist group would mean cessation of crimes against constitutional order and in turn, the sentences will be dropped.
The existing laws substantially increases prison sentences for manslaughter, extortion, etc., if they were committed by a terrorist group. Cessation of the PKK will mean that people convicted of those crimes would only be sentenced for the “original crime.” Authorities also plan a reduction in sentences and introduction of parole. Under existing laws, based on crime, convicts are eligible for early release if they served three-fourths or two-thirds of their prison sentences. Further reduction is expected in those sentencing system and convicts who served half of their sentence will be eligible for parole. Currently, people convicted of terror-related crimes are not eligible for parole. The same procedures will also apply to members of the PKK in Europe who want to return to Türkiye. They will be eligible for sentence reduction and parole if they are not convicted of crimes.
Elsewhere, new legal amendments are planned for those living in PKK-operated camps in Iraq, such as Makhmour. Those camps are mostly populated by supporters of the PKK who left Türkiye decades ago but have not been on the run as other members of the group. Based on the scale of their involvement with the terrorist group, residents of those camps will be offered reintegration into Turkish society and will be given IDs and education opportunities if they were not involved in acts of terrorism.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar discussed the future of bilateral ties and regional and global issues in a phone call, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said Tuesday.
The leaders reviewed bilateral ties, with Erdoğan stating that relations between the two countries draw strength from “our shared history and culture,” according to a statement by the directorate.
He expressed confidence that cooperation between Türkiye and Hungary, both bilaterally and on international platforms, will advance further in the coming days.
Erdoğan also emphasized the importance of strengthening their existing strategic partnership.
He said the two countries aim to deepen cooperation and highlighted that their NATO alliance, which both countries are members of, contributes to “regional and global peace.”
During the call, Erdoğan also congratulated Magyar on his success in Sunday’s elections.
After Magyar’s Tisza party took a wide lead over incumbent Viktor Orban in Sunday’s elections, according to election officials, Orban conceded defeat, saying: “We will serve our nation from the opposition.”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday held phone calls with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Iraq’s Fouad Hussain.
Sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in the call with Abdelatty, Fidan discussed developments in the U.S.-Iran cease-fire negotiations. The conversation focused on the current state of cease-fire talks and preparations for another round of negotiations in the coming days.
The two ministers exchanged views on the negotiation process and the agenda expected to be addressed in future discussions, as diplomatic efforts continue to secure a lasting cease-fire in the Middle East.
With Hussain, Fidan discussed bilateral ties and regional developments, sources said. Fidan on Monday hailed the “sincerity” of the U.S. and Iran on achieving a cease-fire. However, he warned that Israel may disrupt the process. Fidan also pointed out Israel’s emerging “state strategy” of finding “new enemies” in the region, such as Türkiye. The minister has been at the forefront of Türkiye’s peace diplomacy, contacting relevant parties to achieve a cease-fire in the US-Israel-Iran war.
Türkiye’s top diplomat led a diplomatic blitz by Ankara to mediate the conflict. This week, he will attend a quadrilateral meeting with foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Türkiye.
Syria’s president met with a top commander of the U.S.-backed YPG terrorist group on Tuesday as part of ongoing talks aimed at integrating the group into state institutions, an official announced.
Ahmed al-Hilali, a senior Syrian official and spokesperson for the integration process, said a series of meetings were held in Damascus between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian officials on one side, and YPG leader Ferhat Abdi Şahin, code-named Mazloum Kobani, on the other.
Al-Hilali told Syria TV that the discussions focused on the latest developments in an agreement reached between the government and the YPG, as well as steps to advance the integration process.
He said Şahin is also expected to hold separate meetings with al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to review progress, assess challenges and outline the next phase of implementation.
A further meeting between Şahin and presidential envoy Ziad al-Ayesh is also anticipated, though no details about the agenda were disclosed.
“The outcomes of these meetings are expected to accelerate efforts on the ground, particularly in Hassakeh province, where implementation of the agreement is ongoing,” he said.
Previous talks
The latest round of talks follows earlier meetings in early April between al-Ayesh and Abdi in Hassakeh, where the two sides discussed mechanisms for integrating YPG structures into state institutions.
Those discussions also addressed plans to release detainees and transfer control of YPG-run prisons to the Syrian government. In addition, both sides reviewed measures aimed at improving security conditions, including efforts to curb violations attributed to armed groups operating in the region.
The negotiations are part of a Jan. 29 agreement between Damascus and the YPG that includes provisions for the return of displaced people to their homes, as well as arrangements related to detention facilities and administrative integration.
The post-Baathist administration in Damascus moved against the YPG when the latter reneged on an earlier deal for integration into the Syrian army. On Jan. 16, the Syrian army launched an offensive against YPG-controlled areas in northeastern Syria. After days of the offensive, the YPG consented to sign a new deal with Damascus on integrating both “administrative” and “military” structures of the YPG to post-Assad Syria. The terrorist group agreed that Syrian security forces would be deployed in Hassakeh and Qamishli, two key areas occupied by the YPG.
The deal also stipulated a faster integration of armed members of the YPG into Syrian security forces and the creation of a division consisting of three brigades of the YPG.
The YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist group, neither complied with Türkiye’s terror-free initiative for the disarmament of the PKK, nor with a March 2025 deal for integration with the Syrian security forces. Türkiye is a major supporter of post-Assad Syria and views the YPG as a threat to its own national security. Ankara has hinted that it may resort to a military option in Syria as it did in the past to thwart the YPG’s ambitions, but has repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve the dispute between the YPG and Damascus.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said Wednesday that women disproportionately suffer the consequences of wars, migration and poverty, urging stronger female representation in political decision-making to build lasting peace.
Speaking at the Women Parliamentarians Forum held on the sidelines of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, Kurtulmuş said that in nearly every conflict zone around the world, women and children pay the highest price.
“From Gaza to other regions facing instability, the heaviest toll of what has reached the level of crimes against humanity is being borne by women and children,” he said, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as particularly severe.
Kurtulmuş said the current global landscape goes beyond ordinary crises, pointing instead to a deeper breakdown in the international system. He argued that multilateral mechanisms are losing effectiveness, while international law is increasingly applied selectively and global institutions are facing a decline in credibility.
He added that large-scale migration, poverty and social deprivation around the world also disproportionately affect women, many of whom are displaced or left without adequate protection. According to Kurtulmuş, these conditions are exacerbated by shrinking diplomatic channels and increasing pressure on human dignity.
The Turkish official also pointed to the underrepresentation of women in peace negotiations and political platforms, warning that this gap undermines the sustainability of peace efforts.
“This is not only a matter of representation,” he said. “It is a structural deficiency that delays the socialization of peace and weakens its permanence.”
Kurtulmuş stressed that empowering women should not be seen as a narrow issue of equality but as a broader requirement for democratic quality, inclusive governance and sustainable development. He said women’s participation in legislative, oversight and budgeting processes is essential for building more resilient and balanced societies.
He noted that global challenges such as economic downturns, conflict, income inequality and limited access to education deepen existing disparities for women. Addressing these issues, he said, is critical not only for social justice but also for long-term stability.
Kurtulmuş also highlighted violence against women as one of the most pressing aspects of the issue, calling for comprehensive responses grounded in legal, moral and political responsibility.
“Determination in combating violence against women is one of the clearest indicators of a society’s level of civilization,” he said.
He added that Türkiye considers women’s empowerment, family protection and social cohesion as strategic priorities, outlining ongoing efforts across education, employment and social support systems.
Kurtulmuş concluded by emphasizing that, beyond providing opportunities, governments must ensure fair conditions where women’s knowledge, experience and leadership can fully contribute to public life.
A report published on the BBC’s website on Tuesday claimed that the Greek authorities have turned to other migrants who took shelter in the country to illegally push back irregular migrants into Türkiye.
The Turkish-Greek border has been a hot spot for irregular migration. A large number of assorted groups of migrants, including those from Afghanistan, Syria, African countries, as well as Turkish nationals themselves, were intercepted on the border. As of April 9, official figures of intercepted irregular migrants are nearly 35,000.
“Pushback” is a controversial and illegal practice, but Greece has repeatedly engaged in it, according to reports by human rights organizations monitoring migrant flow into Greece that escalated in the past decade.
Many boatloads of migrants attempt to make the dangerous sea crossing to reach the Greek islands from the Turkish coast, hoping to eventually make their way to prosperous European Union countries.
Others attempt to enter Greece by crossing the Maritsa (Meriç) River that runs along the land border between the two countries.
While many make it to the EU, many others perish at sea or are pushed back by Greece into Turkish waters in violation of international law.
The BBC report says that the Greek police recruited migrants as mercenaries to push other migrants back across its land border with Türkiye. The report, based on witness accounts and other evidence, says migrants were stripped, robbed, beaten and in some cases, sexually assaulted. It also says those “mercenaries” were unofficially employed on the border since at least 2020. Those hired for pushbacks included migrants from Pakistan, Syria and Afghanistan, and in some cases, they were rewarded with cash and possessions looted from other irregular migrants, the report says, in addition to travel documents allowing them to travel across the country.
A recruited migrant who spoke to the BBC claimed that he was tasked with ferrying people back to Türkiye, checking migrant boats for punctures and burning belongings of migrants to destroy evidence of pushback.
Türkiye has intensified nationwide operations in recent years amid rising regional migration pressures.
Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry announced that 478 irregular migrants and 19 migrant smugglers were captured in nationwide inspections.
Police, gendarmerie, coast guard and border patrols joined forces for inspections in 81 provinces under the coordination of the General Directorate of Migration.
Work has begun to establish a Women’s Cooperation Council under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), aiming to strengthen collaboration on women’s empowerment across member countries, Ankara’s Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said Tuesday.
Göktaş made the remarks during a conference in Baku held on “Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA),” where Azerbaijan currently holds the 2024-2026 OTS chairmanship.
Speaking at a panel titled “Women Entrepreneurs in SMEs, Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization,” Göktaş said the global economy is undergoing a major transformation driven by digitalization and artificial intelligence, creating new opportunities for women’s participation in business and employment.
She said the proposed council would help foster “a common vision and collective will” among Turkic states, particularly in areas such as women’s entrepreneurship and labor force participation.
“The OTS Women’s Cooperation Council will become a strong regional organization that brings women together across our shared geography for a common future,” she said.
Göktaş also recalled that empowering women was among the key priorities discussed during the OTS social policy minister meeting held in Istanbul in 2024.
The event in Baku, hosted by Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, brought together senior officials and representatives from CICA member states.
Among attendees were Leyla Aliyeva, head of the IDEA Foundation, Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Zulfiya Mahkamova and CICA Secretary-General Kairat Sarybay.
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