At a Glance 

• About 4,000 political prisoners are expected to be freed.
• Former HDP co-chairs Demirtas and Yuksekdag will be released.
• Turkey passed a 12-article integration law after a 468–88 vote.

Tayip Temel, deputy co-chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), stated that the enacted Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration will be key to releasing thousands of political prisoners and former HDP co-chairs.

---

Key Statement and Focus Area

• The DEM Party deputy co-chair said the new law will lead to the emptying of a large part of the prisons.
• The official higghlighted that Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairs who are imprisoned on charges of links to the PKK, will be released under the law.

---

Temel noted that around 4,000 prisoners will leave prison, leaving only 700 to 800 people whose cases will be reviewed by a special committee.

He stressed that the release of human rights lawyer Can Atalay and former elected co-mayor of Van Bekir Kaya is also tied to laying down arms and creating ground for democratic life.

Following an intensive debate, the Turkish Parliament overwhelmingly approved a landmark legislative project, passing the measure with a 468 to 88 majority.

The 12-article bill represents the culmination of a year-long initiative by the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, which consulted 140 public figures to establish a formal legal framework aimed at advancing the peace process and the disarmament of the PKK.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the law earlier this week, which officially entered into force following its publication in the Official Gazette on Monday.

Dubbed the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, the legislation signals a strategic shift in Turkey’s management of politically sensitive legal cases. Its primary objective is to foster social cohesion and reduce nationwide tensions by facilitating the release of individuals detained on conflict-related charges, contingent upon the successful implementation of the disarmament timeline.

Demirtas and Selcuk Mizrakli, former Amed (Diyarbakir) co-mayor, sent their joint message on August 9 to the Turkish Parliament before voting on the law.

They expressed support for the initiative, calling it a historic opportunity to strengthen unity between Turks and Kurds through democratic reform.

"We believe this step will bring positive outcomes for all of us, while also opening a new chapter in politics—one characterized by greater civility, cooperation, and political maturity," they emphasized. 

They expressed their support for the upcoming "Framework Law," calling it a historic opportunity to strengthen unity between Turks and Kurds through democratic reform. 

FYI

Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, former co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish HDP, were arrested in November 2016 during a widespread crackdown. 

In May 2024, a Turkish court sentenced Demirtas to 42 years and Yuksekdag to over 30 years in prison on charges including "undermining" state unity and inciting violence during the 2014 Kobani protests.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) repeatedly ruled their detentions unlawful and politically motivated, demanding their immediate release to protect democratic pluralism.

The Turkish government rejected these international rulings, asserting that the court decisions were non-binding on domestic security matters.

Dive Deeper: Handpicked Stories for You

Follow Channel8 for continuous updates:

Erdogan Signs 12-Article Law, Enacting it via Official Gazette 

Demirtas and Mizrakli Back Framework Law in Message to Turkish Parliament 

Kurtulmus, AK Party, DEM Party Hail Peace Era as Bill Enacted 

Turkish Parliament Passes Framework Law Amid Broad Cross-Party Support