Turkiye approves pardon-like bill for thousands of PKK fighters

The text envisages a return to civilian life for some of the PKK fighters who lay down their weapons.Published On 10 Aug 202610 Aug 2026Turkish lawmakers have approved legislation offering a conditional pardon for thousands of members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a major step towards ending decades of deadly violence.The text – which passed on Monday with a vote of 468 in favour and 88 against, with six abstentions – envisages a return to civilian life for some of the PKK fighters who lay down their weapons without granting a total amnesty.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Which other countries could join the Turkiye-Saudi-Pakistan defence pact?list 2 of 3How Davutoglu helped shape Erdogan’s Turkiye but failed to challenge itlist 3 of 3Which Kurdish groups is the US are rallying to fight Iran?end of listThe law is Turkiye‘s first legislative step towards ending the conflict and comes 18 months after Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s jailed founder, urged his followers to disarm.The PKK, designated a “terrorist” organisation by Turkiye, the United States and the European Union, launched its rebellion in 1984. The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people, i...