Ankara, Aug. 11 (SANA) Türkiye’s parliament on Monday approved the National Solidarity and Social Integration bill, drafted as part of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, following nearly 12 hours of debate.
The bill was approved by 468 lawmakers in a vote at the parliament’s General Assembly, while 88 voted against it and six abstained, Anadolu Agency reported.
The legislation includes provisions concerning offenses related to founding or leading the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), membership in the group, knowingly and intentionally providing assistance to it or promoting it, as well as crimes committed as part of the group’s activities and offenses stipulated under Türkiye’s law on the prevention of terrorism financing.
Under the law, investigations and prosecutions involving covered offenses carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison will be deferred for five years, with the exception of intentional homicides committed as part of the group’s activities and crimes committed before June 1, 2005, that carry a life sentence.
Investigations and prosecutions involving offenses carrying sentences of more than 15 years in prison or life imprisonment will be deferred for 10 years.
In both cases, the law requires security authorities to verify that the group has effectively ceased to exist and surrendered all weapons and ammunition in its possession. A National Security Council decision confirming that these conditions have been met must then be published in the Official Gazette.
The statute of limitations for prosecution will not run during the deferral period, while the relevant authorities will retain case files and evidence that could help establish the offenses throughout that period, beginning from the date the deferral decision is issued.
Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that the definitive elimination of terrorism under the “Terror-Free Türkiye” vision would significantly contribute to strengthening peace, security and stability not only in Türkiye but across the wider region.
R.D/MF
