What is in the 10-article framework bill signed by AKP, MHP, and DEM Party?

Details of the 10-article framework bill, which is stated to have been prepared by the AKP as part of the "Terror-Free Turkey" process, have emerged.

The regulation, titled "Bill on the Strengthening of National Solidarity and Social Integration," is expected to be submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) with the joint signatures of the AKP, MHP, and DEM Party.

According to the report in Nefes, the justification for the proposal defines the regulation not merely as a legal framework for the current process, but as an "introduction" or "root law" that serves as the beginning of democratization steps to be taken in the future.

It was reported that the "PKK-KCK" expression will be explicitly included in the justification and definitions section of the text, and that the term "dissolved organization" will also be used.

It was stated that changes were made to the draft following some objections from the DEM Party, but the request to remove the term "terror" from the proposal was not accepted. However, it was noted that the term "terrorist organization" appears only in the first two articles.

The proposal includes regulations regarding the return process of PKK members, the deferral of certain investigations and prosecutions, the establishment of a monitoring mechanism within the TBMM, and new investigations. It was stated that during the draft stage, the deprivation of rights such as political bans for those who would benefit from the deferred investigations and prosecutions was on the agenda, but this provision was removed from the text.

Furthermore, it was learned that the decision to exclude crimes such as looting, extortion, assault, torture, and torment from the scope of deferral was abandoned. In contrast, it was stated that the crime of "intentional killing" and crimes committed before 2005 that require life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment were excluded from the scope.

With a new provision added to the draft, if new evidence or statements regarding the past emerge about individuals who apply to the law, a new investigation cannot be opened directly. Such investigations will be subject to board approval.

If the law enters into force, an Evaluation and Coordination Board chaired by the Vice President will be established to carry out the process. A Monitoring Commission will be formed within the TBMM. It was reported that the Evaluation and Coordination Board will follow the disarmament and dissolution process.

RETURN AND ADAPTATION PROCESS

Although its official name is not in the proposal, the establishment of a "Peace and Politicization Board" is also planned. It was reported that this board will examine legal applications, evaluate the return process of organization members, and manage the adaptation process. It is also envisaged that at least three sub-boards will be established.

The article providing legal protection to public officials who will take part in the process was also amended. It was stated that the regulation includes the provision: "The legal, administrative, and criminal liability of persons who perform the duties assigned in line with the purpose and scope of this law shall not arise."

It was stated that MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli was the first signatory of the proposal. The ring Bahçeli wore during the signing and the pin on his lapel also drew attention. It was reported that the ring contains the phrase "Fe inne me'al usri yusrâ" from the 5th verse of Surah Ash-Sharh, which translates into Turkish as "Indeed, with hardship, there is ease."

The process began with MHP leader Bahçeli shaking hands with DEM Party members in Parliament on October 1, 2024. It was reported that AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler and Group Deputy Chairman Abdulhamit Gül conducted meetings with the DEM Party delegation and MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız for the framework law.

It was stated that Gül and the Chairman of the TBMM Justice Commission, Cüneyt Yüksel, visited the CHP and the New Way Group to provide verbal information about the proposal, but the written text was not given to the opposition parties. It was reported that the opposition stated they would not sign the proposal without seeing the text. It was noted that the AKP also visited the IYI Party.

News Source: 12punto