Reconciliation commission meets today... Will a delegation visit the terrorist leader? AKP wants secrecy, opposition wants transparency

Following the symbolic 'ceremony' where a group of PKK terrorists laid down their arms during the new reconciliation process—architected by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and referred to by the government as 'Terror-Free Turkey'—all eyes are now on the commission established in the TBMM.

The commission, whose name has not yet been finalized, will meet today at 11:00 AM under the chairmanship of TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. The commission includes 21 deputies from the AKP, 10 from the CHP, 4 each from the DEM Party and MHP, 3 from the New Way Party (Yeni Yol Partisi), and 1 each from HÜDA PAR, the New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi), TİP, EMEP, DSP, and the DP.

The commission, which the IYI Party has decided not to join, consists of 48 deputies, and decisions will be made with the votes of at least 29 members.

Cameras and photojournalists will not be admitted to the commission's first meeting today. It was learned that footage will be provided by the TBMM and that the working methods and principles will be determined during this first meeting.

IF A SECRECY DECISION IS MADE, IT WILL REMAIN A 'STATE SECRET'

The AKP is requesting that the commission's deliberations be held behind closed doors and that the minutes be kept under the label 'Secret.' In contrast, the opposition argues that the entire process should be conducted openly to the public, stating, 'Everything should be transparent; our citizens who have suffered for 50 years need to know every stage.' According to Article 70 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure, if a decision for secrecy is made, statements made in the commission will fall under the scope of 'state secret,' and documents and minutes will be hidden from the public. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 32 of the Rules of Procedure, a 'Yes' vote from one-third of the members will be sufficient for a closed session.

EMİR: THE PROCESS SHOULD NOT BE CONDUCTED IN THE DARK

CHP Group Deputy Chairman and commission member Murat Emir made evaluations to SÖZCÜ regarding the work starting today. Emir drew attention to the need for the process to be conducted openly, stating, 'Families of martyrs, veterans, and NGOs should come and speak to the commission. It must be a transparent effort under the roof of Parliament, in the eyes of the public; no stage of the process can be hidden.' Emir also expressed the following views: 'The name of the commission must absolutely include "Democracy and justice." Freedom should come to those held in prison despite the Constitution and Constitutional Court rulings, as well as to the elected. The government should not impose its own agenda.'

MHP leader Bahçeli, while initiating the reconciliation process, had requested in his speech at his party's group meeting that terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan come to Parliament and speak at the DEM Party group meeting.

It had been alleged that one representative from each party in the commission would go to İmralı to meet with terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan. According to the report by Başak Kaya from Sözcü, the opposition said, 'Consult with the families of martyrs first, not the PKK ringleader.'

CHP leader Özgür Özel also stated in a television program he attended recently that his party would not send a delegation to İmralı.