Newroz Uysal Aslan: Leader Ocalan will join committee

Following Leader Abdullah Ocalan’s launch of the "Peace and Democratic Society" initiative on February 27, 2025, intensive discussions took place regarding the dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a political solution to the Kurdish issue, and the pathways and mechanisms for democratic politics. Numerous steps were also taken by both the Kurdistan Freedom Movement and the Turkish state.

Recently, a 12-article draft "Framework Law"—titled "Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration"—was prepared. This draft was successfully ratified by the Turkish Parliament on August 10, 2026, and the law was published today in the *Official Gazette* of Turkey.

Extensive discussions have surrounded these 12 articles. Speaking to ANHA agency, Newroz Uysal Aslan—a lawyer and Member of Parliament for the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party)—assessed the law's 12 articles and outlined the activities and measures to be implemented in the coming days.

Uysal Aslan explained that, of the 12 articles, the final two pertain to implementation and the law's entry into force; thus, there are 10 substantive articles.

She then detailed the law's provisions, article by article, as follows:

Article One

This article is titled "Objective and Scope."

According to this article, the objective is as follows: once security agencies determine that all components of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) have ceased to exist—and once their weapons arsenals have been identified and the (Turkish) National Security Council has issued a formal decision to this effect—this decision will be published in the Official Gazette. Following publication, procedures regarding the postponement of trials, ongoing lawsuits, and existing judicial rulings will commence.

The second paragraph of the same article stipulates: "Pursuant to this article, provisions are established regarding membership and the founding of the organization, as well as regarding supporters or members who engaged in promotion, propaganda, or organizational activities. It also encompasses the law concerning so-called 'terrorist financing.' In recent years, this 'terrorist financing' law has been specifically invoked against the provision of aid to prisons and the depositing of funds for families. Under this general first article, these provisions apply to the PKK/KCK and all their constituent elements that cease to exist."

Article Two

Article Two addresses definitions and terminology. It stipulates that the organization referred to in the law is the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), and all their constituent elements.

A committee shall also be formed in accordance with Article Seven.

Article Three

This article concerns ongoing investigations and legal proceedings, specifically addressing their deferral. Under this article, once the laying down of arms has been verified and the National Security Council’s decision has been confirmed and published in the Official Gazette, individuals involved in initiated investigations or pending cases—excluding those sentenced prior to 2005 to aggravated life imprisonment or life imprisonment, as well as those who committed murder—may submit applications regarding these investigations and trials in accordance with Article One. Within the scope of these proceedings, cases involving individuals sentenced to more than 15 years in prison shall be deferred for 10 years, while cases involving those sentenced to less than 15 years shall be deferred for 5 years. Individuals may also appeal this decision, with the timeframe for such appeals specified in the law.

Article Four

Article Four pertains to legal protective measures—such as travel bans and mandatory reporting requirements—imposed on individuals who have been arrested but whose cases remain ongoing; such individuals may apply to have these measures lifted. Applications may be submitted during the investigation phase or subsequently before the courts of first and second instance, up to the Supreme Court. Consequently, a decision may be issued to revoke these measures.

Article 5

When an individual applies to benefit from this law and an ongoing investigation is deferred, the record is entered into a special system; access to these documents and records is restricted to the relevant officials only, rather than being open to any employee or public prosecutor. This provision was established to ensure the safety and protection of the applicants.

The same article further stipulates that, following the deferral of such lawsuits, investigations, or imposed penalties, the initiation of a new case against an applicant requires that the alleged offense be classified as a terrorist crime under Turkish law. Additionally, a request must be submitted to the General Commission to initiate a new case. This provision is designed to prevent the filing of malicious or arbitrary lawsuits against the applicants.

Article 6

Upon verification of the movement's dissolution and the confirmation and publication of the National Security Council’s decision in the Official Gazette, convicted individuals and prisoners—excluding those arrested prior to 2005 who received aggravated sentences—may apply for release. Upon submission of such applications, the execution of the sentence is deferred for a period of 10 years for those sentenced to terms exceeding 15 years, and for 5 years for those sentenced to terms of less than 15 years.

This article also addresses where the resulting decisions are recorded, where appeals are to be filed, and the procedures by which a public prosecutor, judge, or court may access the applicant's files based on this record to determine the nature of the case. Furthermore, following the suspension of the sentence, the individual must submit a request to the General Commission to avoid the initiation of a new case.

Article Seven

This article concerns the monitoring and coordination of the law's implementation, specifically regarding the committee to be formed. Following publication in the Official Gazette, a committee shall be established under the chairmanship of the Vice President of the Republic. It shall comprise eight entities: the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the General Secretariat of the Presidency, the Head of the National Intelligence Organization (MÎT), and the National Security Council (MGK). The committee may form sub-committees under its umbrella as required by the nature of the work and activities. It may also summon representatives from institutions, ministries, and bodies—as well as any other individuals it deems appropriate—to participate in these committees; designated individuals are required to respond to and comply with such summons.

The committee is tasked with monitoring specific matters, the law's objectives, and the entire process from the first article to the last. In accordance with the requirements of the process—and to regulate justice, administrative aspects, and state governance—the committee is authorized to directly execute requests made by these institutions.

Furthermore, regarding individuals falling outside the scope of the law—specifically those arrested prior to 2005 who received aggravated sentences—the committee may prepare reports, draft periodic observations and recommendations, and submit requests to initiate new legal proceedings.

Under this law, individuals against whom investigations or lawsuits were initiated but who were not convicted are not subject to a political ban. Conversely, individuals who have received convictions—whether currently imprisoned or abroad—shall be subject to a political ban. Individuals sentenced to terms of less than 15 years are barred from political participation for two years, while those sentenced to terms exceeding 15 years are barred for three years; thereafter, they may apply to participate in political life. The activities and affairs of this committee will be managed and coordinated through the Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic.

Article 8

This article concerns the handing over of weapons. Under this article, weapons, ammunition, vehicles, equipment, explosives, and all types of materials used in warfare are to be declared and registered. The specific location, timing, and method for this process are not specified here; rather, once handed over to security agencies, the matter will be left to the discretion and management of the committee to be formed pursuant to Article 7. The General Committee—which will include leader Abdullah Ocalan and the Movement—will determine the principles and procedures to be followed in this regard.

Article 9

Following publication in the Official Gazette, individuals currently abroad may submit applications within a six-month period to institutions designated by the committee. Those within the country may submit applications to the Public Prosecutor's Offices of the Republic of Turkey. The relevant competent institution will determine the procedure for submitting these applications.

Article 10

The tasks and responsibilities associated with this law will be carried out by institutions and bodies designated by the committee. No legal, administrative, or criminal proceedings may be brought against individuals who participated in the implementation of this law; this provision is intended to protect the personnel assigned to these duties.

Article 11

This article establishes the law's entry into force, stipulating that it becomes effective immediately upon publication.

Article 12

This article stipulates that the responsibility for and implementation of this law rest directly with the President of the Republic.

"Leader Abdullah Ocalan will also be part of the committee"

Newroz Uysal Aslan explained that this matter concerns only the postponement of lawsuits and investigations that have already been initiated. She stated: "Every clause is open to discussion, and we have held extensive talks regarding them. We can say there are two stages to the law's implementation: the first is the formation of the committee in accordance with Article 7. Now that the law has been published in the Official Gazette, the committee will be formed and begin its work and duties; based on this work, the processes of identification and verification will proceed. Regarding this committee, the specific status and designation of Leader Abdullah Ocalan were not explicitly defined in writing, despite all our demands and criticisms. However, Leader Abdullah Ocalan will participate in the committee on behalf of the Kurdish side and will play a major role regarding the movement and the monitoring of this situation. Once published, the committee will begin its work without waiting for the National Security Council."

"If the committee is not formed, the National Security Council will not be able to start accepting applications"

Newroz Uysal Aslan highlighted the tasks that depend on the National Security Council's decision, noting: "Individual applications will be put on hold until the National Security Council issues its decision. Subsequently, the public prosecutor's office, the courts, or officials designated by the institutions named by the committee will begin processing the applications. In any case, if the committee is not formed and the Leader does not join it, the National Security Council will be unable to make a decision. Following the National Security Council's decision, a fundamental issue will become clear: the removal of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from the list of terrorist organizations—acknowledging that it has dissolved itself—and the lifting of the consequences and repercussions associated with that designation." One of the key consequences is the legal cases, investigations, and sanctions brought against politicians, journalists, revolutionaries, and anyone else falling within this category.

"New laws will be discussed following the implementation of the law."

In her concluding remarks, Newroz Uysal Aslan stated: "We can say that this law represents a step toward addressing the consequences and repercussions that have emerged. However, it does not eliminate the root causes of the Kurdish issue, the reasons behind the Kurdish people's demands, or the denial of rights that originally sparked the armed struggle. There is no peace treaty. This law is a beginning; it will lift the criminalization and ban on democratic politics. Subsequently, a need for further laws and measures will arise. This depends on how quickly the law is implemented once Parliament reconvenes, at which point new laws will be debated. Furthermore, the MHP and AKP—along with other relevant parties—hold specific views regarding the Law on the Execution of Sentences, electoral laws, and general legislation. For us in the DEM Party (Equality and Democracy Party), all these matters are on our agenda—ranging from the Law on the Execution of Sentences and other statutes to regulations concerning political parties and local administration."

Sh-S

ANHA