Hearing former speakers takes place as Democratic Party navigates Imrali

Türkiye's "Terror-Free" Initiative: Parliamentary Commission Convenes for Seventh Meeting

A significant milestone was reached in Türkiye's ongoing "terror-free" initiative as a parliamentary commission convened for its seventh meeting on August 28. The commission, established to address the legal, social, and political aspects of the anti-terrorism bid, was attended by representatives from various political parties and organizations.

The meeting marked a significant moment as it was the first time DEM Party officials had met with Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), since the commission was established. DEM Party lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, accompanied by lawyer Faik Özgür Erol, visited İmralı prison island to meet with Öcalan.

The DEM Party has been acting as a mediator between Öcalan and Ankara in the government's campaign. This role was evident in the DEM Party's request to meet with Öcalan, which was approved in December 2020, leading to a series of delegation visits to the island.

The PKK announced its decision to dissolve and disarm as part of the anti-terrorism bid. As a symbol of this commitment, the first group of PKK members symbolically burned their weapons in northern Iraq last month.

The commission, which includes all political parties represented in parliament except the İYI Party, was chaired by Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuşş. Three former speakers, including Hikmet Çetin, Ömer İzgi, and Bülent Arınç, attended the meeting, although Bülent Arınç and Köksal Toptan had to withdraw due to health concerns.

Representatives from Istanbul and Ankara attended the meeting on behalf of their respective associations. Additionally, bar association leaders joined the commission, including the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) chair Erinç Sağkan and the heads of the bar associations in Diyarbakır, Hatay, Mersin, Mardin, Van, Malatya, Sivas, and Bingöl.

The commission's agenda included a briefing by the DEM Party delegation on their discussions with Öcalan. The commission is anticipated to hear messages from Öcalan regarding the PKK's disarmament process.

The process became possible last October when Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli called on Öcalan to renounce terrorism in parliament. This call set in motion a series of events leading to the current stage of the anti-terrorism initiative.

The AKP, CHP, and DEM Party now hold three, eleven, and five seats, respectively, at the 51-seat commission, following the distribution of the İYI Party's three seats. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) did not participate in the last session of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission on August 28, 2021.

The ongoing meetings and developments in the commission are a testament to Türkiye's commitment to peace and reconciliation, and they offer hope for a future free from the scourge of terrorism.