One year ago, the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) burned its weapons in a symbolic ceremony. The move was seen as a sign of its willingness to disband. Since then, the Kurdish side has been calling on the Turkish government to take political steps.
Now, parliament has passed a bill submitted by the conservative Islamic ruling party AKP and its ultranationalist ally. Officially called the "Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration," it is intended to provide the legal framework for the ongoing peace process.
According to official figures, 467 out of 592 MPs voted in favor of the bill. The ruling party and its ally see this as the beginning of a new era: Under certain conditions, the bill provides for a suspension of sentences for PKK members — but only after the PKK and its affiliated groups have been confirmed to have disbanded and disarmed, so that peace, brotherhood and solidarity can prevail throughout the entire country.
The pro-Kurdish DEM party also supports the bill, but it views it only as a first step that must be followed by further reforms.The pro-Kurdish DEM party also voted in favor of the PKK law. At the same time, it is calling for swift political and legal reformsImage: Adem Altan/AFP
