One week since framework law passed in Turkey

The process surrounding the Framework Law in Turkey began on August 5, when the bill was submitted to the Presidency of the Turkish Parliament, bearing the signatures of 367 lawmakers from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), the Republican People’s Party (CHP), HÜDA PAR, Yeni Yol, the Democratic Left Party, as well as a number of independent lawmakers.

On August 7, the Parliamentary Justice Committee discussed the bill. The discussions lasted approximately 18 hours before the bill was approved on August 8.

On August 10, the Framework Law related to the peace process launched by leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27, 2025, reached the plenary session of the Turkish Parliament. The discussion continued for approximately 12 hours before the vote was held. The law received 467 votes in favor, 87 against, and 7 abstentions, thereby completing its parliamentary stage.

The law follows the work of the “National Unity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission,” which began its activities in August 2025, held 21 meetings, and heard from 137 people before adopting its joint report in February 2026.

However, the passage of the law by Parliament does not mean that it will enter into force immediately, as it still requires the completion of further procedures, including presidential approval, a decision by the National Security Council, and publication in the Official Gazette.

The implementation of some of its provisions is also conditional on certain requirements, including “the laying down of arms and the dissolution of organizations” and the issuance of a decision by the National Security Council.

Following the law’s passage, the question shifted from “Will the law be passed?” to “When and how will it be implemented?” Political parties and forces subsequently began announcing their positions on the next stage.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) focused on the need to implement the provisions related to disarmament and the dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), while Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli called for the process to be accelerated, saying in a statement: “We have no time to waste.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) stressed the need to avoid delaying the implementation of the law. Its spokesperson, Ayşe Gül Doğan, said: “Leaving the matter to time will increase the risks.” The party also called for the rapid establishment of monitoring mechanisms and for the role and responsibilities of leader Abdullah Ocalan to be defined, along with determining İmralı’s legal and political status.

As for the leadership of the Kurdish liberation movement, it announced that it does not reject the law but considers it to have shortcomings, particularly the failure to mention the Kurds, the weakness of its democratic dimension, the absence of a political solution to the Kurdish issue, and the law’s direct linkage to disarmament.

At the same time, it stated that the law represents the beginning of the process, calling for subsequent steps toward democratization and a political solution.

Mustafa Karasu, a member of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), also emphasized the importance of defining the role and responsibilities of leader Abdullah Ocalan in the process.

Erdogan–İmralı Delegation Meeting

On August 13, a meeting was held between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the İmralı delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), which included lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar.

The meeting lasted one hour and 40 minutes at the Beştepe Presidential Complex. Discussions focused on the implementation of the Framework Law, the next steps, the roadmap for the process, and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms.

Before the meeting, the delegation had announced its intention to travel to İmralı and visit leader Abdullah Ocalan, making a visit to İmralı one of the issues on the agenda for the next stage.

Security meeting to monitor the process

Alongside the political activity, the Turkish Interior Ministry held an expanded coordination meeting at the GAMER Center, attended by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, as well as governors, security officials, and gendarmerie commanders from all 81 provinces.

The meeting discussed how to implement the law and address developments related to the process, with emphasis on the role of governors in coordinating the process within their respective provinces. It also addressed the measures needed to counter any attempts to sabotage the process or carry out provocations, as well as to maintain social stability.

Thus, the first week following the passage of the Framework Law ended with the issue moving from the stage of parliamentary debate and approval into the stage of implementation and monitoring. Attention in the coming period will focus on the legal procedures required for the law to enter into force, the establishment of monitoring mechanisms, and the political steps related to the process, foremost among them defining the role of leader Abdullah Ocalan.

ANHA