Turkey passes PKK amnesty law for disarming members

Turkey's parliament has passed a law that offers thousands of members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) a chance at amnesty if they lay down their arms. The legislation, approved late on Tuesday, sets out a conditional reintegration process for PKK fighters who want to leave the militant group and return to civilian life. The move is part of Ankara's broader push to revive a stalled peace process after decades of conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.

The law comes after years of failed negotiations and a recent surge in violence. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signaled a shift toward reconciliation, partly driven by the economic and social toll of the conflict. The PKK, labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, has waged an insurgency since 1984, demanding greater cultural and political rights for Turkey's Kurdish minority. The new amnesty offer is conditional on the PKK's full disarmament, a demand Ankara has long insisted on before restarting talks.

Under the law, former PKK members can apply for reduced sentences or suspended convictions if they surrender weapons, cut ties with the group, and demonstrate good behavior. The government has not disclosed exact numbers, but estimates suggest thousands could be eligible. Human rights groups warn that past amnesty attempts have failed to bring lasting peace and caution that this law must include safeguards to prevent reprisals against former fighters or renewed violence. The PKK has not yet responded officially, but its leadership has previously demanded broader political reforms as part of any peace deal.

If the law works, it could pave the way for a formal ceasefire and restart stalled negotiations. But success hinges on whether the PKK disarms fully and whether Turkey follows through on promises of greater Kurdish rights. Previous amnesties in 2005 and 2013 saw only limited disarmament, and skepticism runs deep. Still, the government is betting that this latest effort—combined with economic incentives—could break the cycle of violence that has defined Turkey's southeast for generations.