Ankara adopts key legislation under “Terror-Free Türkiye” process
A bill on strengthening national solidarity and social integration, prepared as part of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process, has been adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and has become law.
The legislation was approved after around 12 hours of debate in the General Assembly, receiving 467 votes in favour, 87 against and seven abstentions, while two votes were recorded as invalid or duplicated, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.
Under the law, if security authorities determine that the PKK/KCK terrorist organisation and all affiliated structures have ended their activities and surrendered all weapons and ammunition under their control, and this assessment is confirmed by a National Security Council decision published in the Official Gazette, certain investigations and prosecutions will be subject to postponement.
The legislation covers crimes including establishing or leading the PKK/KCK, membership of the organisation, knowingly and intentionally assisting it, propaganda on its behalf, as well as certain crimes committed as part of the organisation’s activities or in its favour.
For offences covered by the law, investigations and prosecutions involving crimes punishable by up to 15 years in prison may be postponed for five years, while proceedings involving sentences exceeding 15 years, life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment may be postponed for 10 years, subject to the conditions specified in the legislation.
The law also establishes provisions concerning the postponement of sentences for certain convicted individuals. Sentences of up to 15 years may be postponed for five years, while sentences exceeding 15 years, life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment may be postponed for 10 years, provided the conditions set out in the legislation are met.
A coordination body chaired by the Vice President will monitor and assess implementation of the law. It will include the ministers of justice, foreign affairs, interior and national defence, as well as the Presidential Secretary-General, the head of the National Intelligence Organisation and the Secretary-General of the National Security Council.
The Turkish Grand National Assembly will also be regularly informed about the process, while a Monitoring Commission will be established to oversee activities covered by the legislation and make recommendations.
The law further provides for the registration of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, equipment, explosives and other materials handed over or declared by members of the organisation. Procedures for implementing these provisions will be determined by the Interior and National Defence ministries, taking into account the views of security institutions.
During the parliamentary debate, some opposition voices called for the legislation to be submitted to a referendum. The leader of the New Welfare Party, Fatih Erbakan, said his party would abstain from the vote.
Photo: Chat GPT
