Turkey Unveils Draft Law to Reintegrate PKK Militants, Seek Peace

Turkey has submitted a draft law to parliament designed to advance peace with the PKK by protecting many former militants from prosecution and suspending prison sentences for some others. The plan seeks to facilitate the return to Turkey of potentially thousands of former PKK fighters and civilians from hiding places in northern Iraq. Under the bill, Turkey’s national security council would verify disarmament, while a committee led by senior officials and the MIT intelligence chief would oversee surrender and disarmament. It would not cover PKK figures convicted of serious crimes.