Turkey's parliament approved a bill letting some PKK militants seek relief only after verified disarmament.
Why it matters: The vote gives Ankara a legal framework for the next phase of its peace process with the PKK. It also sets the terms for who can benefit and who remains excluded, shaping Turkey's domestic security posture.
- Lawmakers passed the bill 468-88 on Aug. 10, 2026, according to AP.
- The measure is conditional: authorities must verify full disarmament before relief is available.
- It excludes people convicted of intentional homicide and those sentenced to life before 2005, which AP said also excludes Abdullah Ocalan and other senior PKK figures.
- Applicants would have six months to apply after the National Security Council decision is published in the Official Gazette.
Turkey's parliament approved legislation that creates a conditional relief pathway for thousands of Kurdish militants linked to the PKK, in a vote of 468-88, according to AP.
The bill is part of a broader peace push tied to the PKK's 2025 decision to dissolve and end its armed campaign after a call from jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan. AP said the legislation only applies after authorities verify the group has fully disarmed.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş described the measure as limited, not a general amnesty. In February, a parliamentary committee said legal steps should be tied to security institutions confirming the group has surrendered its weapons, according to WTOP's AP syndication.
The bill excludes militants convicted of intentional homicide and those sentenced to life before 2005. AP said that exclusion also reaches Ocalan and other senior PKK figures. People who qualify would have six months to apply after the National Security Council decision is published in the Official Gazette.
AP also reported the measure could affect ties with Iraq and support Syria's effort to integrate territory formerly held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey's National Security Council still described PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG as terrorist organizations in an April 8, 2026 statement.
By the numbers
- 468-88 - Vote margin in parliament, according to AP.
- 6 months - Window for eligible applicants after the National Security Council decision is published.
- 2025 - Year the PKK said it would dissolve and end its armed campaign.
Yes, but: The bill is not a blanket pardon, and its practical impact depends on verified disarmament plus later publication and review steps.
What's next: Applicants would be able to file within six months after the National Security Council decision is published in the Official Gazette.