Now Reading: Jailed PKK founder Ocalan calls for disarmament as Turkey passes amnesty bill
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Jailed PKK founder Ocalan calls for disarmament as Turkey passes amnesty bill
Jailed PKK founder Ocalan calls for disarmament as Turkey passes amnesty bill
Turkey's parliament has passed a bill offering limited amnesty for fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), reports The Hindustan Times. The conflict, which began in 1984, has claimed some 50,000 lives.…
The Story in Brief
Turkey's parliament has passed a bill offering limited amnesty for fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), reports The Hindustan Times. The conflict, which began in 1984, has claimed some 50,000 lives. The legislation is the first legislative step towards ending the decades-long insurgency but does not address the fate of jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan.
Ocalan, serving life in solitary confinement since 1999, has called on his followers to disarm, saying he believes in politics and social peace. His July 2025 call led to symbolic destruction of weapons by PKK leaders in northern Iraq. PKK leaders insist Ocalan's release is crucial for the peace process. The current push began in October 2024 when a nationalist ally of President Erdogan offered an olive branch.
The Indian Opinion
While Ocalan's call for peace is encouraging, the Turkish government's amnesty bill is deliberately silent on his release. PKK leaders see his freedom as essential, raising doubts about the process's durability. The real test will be how many fighters actually disarm and whether Ankara offers any concessions to Ocalan beyond this limited legislation.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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