Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party has called on parliament to take steps toward renewing a peace initiative by passing a law that would support the disarmament of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The PKK declared a ceasefire in March after its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan—jailed since 1999—urged the group to lay down arms and dissolve, raising hopes for an end to the decades-long conflict between Kurdish militants and the Turkish state.
While the government led by President Tayyip Erdogan hasn’t officially announced a return to peace talks, the DEM Party has increased pressure for a clear legal and political plan to restart the process. A previous attempt at peace collapsed in 2015, leading to renewed violence.
Speaking in parliament, DEM co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari stressed that achieving a peaceful resolution requires both a legal framework and permission for Ocalan to communicate with the outside world.
“This groundwork can only be laid by granting Mr. Ocalan the ability to engage and by passing legislation that enables the disarmament of the PKK,” she said. “Taking these steps would bring relief to the entire country.”
Last week, DEM described a recent meeting with Erdogan as “constructive and hopeful,” signaling a rare instance of dialogue between the two sides.
The PKK, which is labeled a terrorist group by Turkey and several Western nations, is expected to make a final decision on disarmament and disbandment at a congress that could be held as early as next month.
