Archive · 10 Aug 2026
PKK slams Turkish bill on fighters' fate after disarmament
In the country of Turkey, a group called the PKK has been fighting the government for a very long time.
The PKK's leader, Abdullah Ocalan, asked the group to stop fighting and put down its weapons.
Turkey then made a new law to help PKK fighters who give up fighting return to normal life.
The PKK says the law has big problems and is not fair.
They say it will not work unless Ocalan is set free from jail, where he has been since 1999.
The law would pause court cases and jail sentences for some fighters for five to ten years.
It does not forgive everyone, though, because people who committed very serious crimes are left out.
Some Kurdish leaders support the law, saying it is a big step toward peace.
The fighting has already taken at least 50,000 lives, so many people hope for a peaceful solution.
The PKK criticized the proposed Turkish law as containing "serious errors and shortcomings" that ignore democratisation recommendations.
The group warned many provisions would remain a "dead letter" unless jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan is released.
The bill, backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP and the pro-Kurdish DEM party, would suspend prosecutions and sentences for some offenses for five to ten years.
The legislation falls short of a general amnesty and excludes serious crimes such as intentional homicide.
Jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas welcomed the bill as a "crucial step forward" in a "historic peace effort."
- Who
- The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), jailed leaders Abdullah Ocalan and Selahattin Demirtas, and Turkish parties including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP and the DEM party.
- What
- The PKK criticized a proposed Turkish law on the fate of its fighters after disarmament, part of efforts to end decades of deadly fighting.
- When
- The PKK statement was issued on Sunday; Turkey's parliament was set to debate the bill on Monday.
- Where
- Turkey.
- Why
- The bill aims to help end more than four decades of armed conflict that has claimed at least 50,000 lives.
PKK critics
Bill supporters
Assessment of the law
PKK critics
The law contains serious errors and shortcomings and ignores recommendations on democratisation and resolution of the Kurdish issue.
Bill supporters
The bill is a "crucial step forward" in a "historic peace effort" that could "radically transform the fate of our country and our region."
Ocalan's fate
PKK critics
Many provisions will remain a "dead letter" unless Ocalan is released from prison.
Bill supporters
Pro-government media argue the exclusions, such as intentional homicide, should apply to Ocalan, who is serving a life sentence.
Scope and language of the law
PKK critics
The law refers only to disarmament without using the term "Kurdish," meaning the issue is not addressed in its entirety; fighters need guarantees they can join political life without imprisonment.
Bill supporters
The law lets some PKK members return to civilian life under conditions but stops short of a general amnesty and excludes serious crimes.
- PKK position
- Law has "serious errors and shortcomings"
- Parliament debate
- Monday
- Ocalan status
- 77 years old; jailed since 1999
- Conflict death toll
- At least 50,000 lives over four decades
- Suspension period
- 5-10 years for prosecutions and sentences
- Excluded crimes
- Intentional homicide
- Bill backers
- AKP and pro-Kurdish DEM party
- Demirtas status
- Jailed since 2016