According to information obtained by Channel8, discussions on the return of PKK members are planned for later this year.

Framework Law Moves Forward

For several days, discussions surrounding the legislation governing the peace process have intensified. Officials from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) say efforts are underway to enact the proposed "Framework Law" by the end of this year.

The legislation is intended to establish the legal framework for the return of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members to North Kurdistan and Turkey.

Return Process Planned in Two Phases

According to information obtained by Channel8, the return process will be carried out in two stages.

The first phase will create the legal pathway for the return of regular PKK members. The second phase, which concerns the return of senior PKK cadres.

This stage will require amendments to the Turkish Anti-Terror Law and the Turkish Penal Code to establish the necessary legal mechanisms for their return.

Political Positions and Sensitivities

The AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) remain cautious about the return of senior PKK officials, citing the sensitivity of public opinion in Turkey and the concerns of families of fallen soldiers.

The AK Party aims to pass the draft legislation through broad political consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, it plans to submit the bill to the Office of the Speaker of Parliament jointly with the MHP and the DEM Party.

Meanwhile, the Imrali delegation is expected to hold a series of meetings with political parties before its planned visit to Abdullah Ocalan.

Key Points of Disagreement

Despite ongoing negotiations, several major issues remain unresolved.

The DEM Party and the PKK insist that the legislation should not classify members into different categories and argue that senior officials must not be excluded from the return process.

They are also demanding improvements to Abdullah Ocalan's living and working conditions, as well as official recognition of his status as a principal party to the peace process. These demands have not been officially accepted by the Turkish government.

PKK Reaffirms Commitment to the Process

Despite criticism from senior PKK officials regarding the state's handling of the process, they have reiterated their commitment to ensuring its success.

Duran Kalkan, a member of the Abdullah Ocalan Academy of Social Sciences, stated that the peace process remains ongoing and that they will not allow it to fail, describing it as a sign of the parties' political will to settle.