AKP and DEM at odds: Disagreement over scope of framework bill

Details of the framework bill, which the AKP has prepared as part of its "second opening process" called Terror-Free Turkey and which it reportedly plans to submit to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on Monday, have begun to emerge.

It is stated that the bill, which is expected to consist of 10-11 articles, will enter into force once the state officially confirms that the PKK terrorist organization has laid down its arms.

It is noted that the regulation could be submitted to Parliament with a title such as "Bill on the dissolution of the PKK-KCK terrorist organization, laying down of arms, and termination of its legal existence" or a similar heading. If the name of the organization is not included in the title, it is expected to be clearly defined in the purpose and scope articles.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, the bill is expected to include provisions on the methods for determining the dissolution of the terrorist organization and the laying down of arms, how investigation and prosecution processes will be conducted, and the criteria according to which the status of convicts in prisons will be evaluated. Those who wish to benefit from the law will be required to return to Turkey within a specified period. It is stated that the AKP plans for this period to be one year.

DEBATE OVER SCOPE CONTINUES

According to information obtained, the initial phase envisions that only PKK terrorists who are considered not to have been involved in crimes will benefit from the regulation. It is planned that these individuals will be subject to judicial control provisions for a certain period after their return to Turkey and will be banned from active politics for 5 years.

One of the topics of the bill expected to cause the most controversy is this political ban regulation. Accordingly, individuals who benefit from the law will not be able to engage in political activities for 5 years; however, after the period expires, the way could be opened for them to engage in politics within the framework of existing legislation.

AKP sources state that a provision that would allow the return of the so-called leaders of the organization located in Qandil will not be included in the first package. It is stated that the party leadership is evaluating possible changes to the execution law as a separate topic, and that the first regulation will be limited only to PKK terrorists who have not been involved in crimes.

AKP NOT WARM TO BAHÇELİ'S 'STATUS FOR ÖCALAN' PROPOSAL

It is also stated that there will be no provision regarding the terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan in the bill. It is noted that the AKP is not warm to the proposal previously made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli to grant Öcalan a status similar to a "Peace Process and Politicization Coordinator," and that Öcalan's current status as a convict will continue.

DEM WANTS IT FOR ALL PKK MEMBERS

It is reported that there is a disagreement between the government and the DEM Party regarding the scope of the regulation during the process. It is stated that while the AKP wants only organization members who have not been involved in crimes to benefit from the law, the DEM Party demands a regulation that covers all organization members without discrimination after the laying down of arms. For this reason, it is stated that negotiations on the scope are continuing before the bill is submitted to Parliament.

News Source: 12punto