Turkey enacted a law offering conditional pardons only after a formal security confirmation.
Why it matters: The measure could shape Turkey's security policy and any broader Kurdish political settlement. It also has regional implications for former PKK fighters in northern Iraq.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the law on Aug. 18 after parliament approved it on Aug. 10, according to AP.
- The law takes effect only after Turkey's National Security Council confirms the PKK has fully dissolved and disarmed, AP reported.
- Reuters reported the ruling alliance drafted the measure to help return potentially thousands of former PKK militants from northern Iraq.
- The law suspends some prison sentences and delays some investigations and trials for five or 10 years, depending on the offense.
Turkey has enacted a conditional pardon path for some members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, according to AP. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the law on Aug. 18 after lawmakers approved it on Aug. 10.
The measure was published in Turkey's Official Gazette and does not take effect until the National Security Council formally confirms that the PKK has dissolved itself and disarmed.
Under the law, some prison sentences for convicted PKK members would be suspended. It also postpones certain investigations and trials for five or 10 years, depending on the offense, with cases potentially dropped if people do not reoffend during that period.
Reuters reported earlier this month that Turkey's ruling alliance had drafted a measure aimed at facilitating the return of potentially thousands of former PKK militants from northern Iraq and shielding many former fighters from prosecution.
The law also creates a committee to oversee PKK disarmament, with its first meeting expected next week, AP reported. Reuters has said the conflict with the PKK has killed more than 40,000 people since 1984. AP said key PKK figures, including Abdullah Ocalan, are excluded from the pardon path.
By the numbers
- Aug. 18 - the date Erdogan signed the law, according to AP.
- Aug. 10 - the date parliament approved the law, according to AP.
- More than 40,000 - deaths Reuters says the PKK conflict has caused since 1984.
Yes, but: The pardon path depends on a formal security confirmation and does not cover key PKK figures such as Abdullah Ocalan.
What's next: The committee overseeing disarmament is expected to meet next week.