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Turkey denies 'general amnesty,' says new law targets only PKK members
🇹🇷 Turkey /Conflict & Security

Turkey denies 'general amnesty,' says new law targets only PKK members

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated there is no "general amnesty" planned, but rather a specific regulation concerning PKK members.
  • The proposed 15-article regulation is expected to be discussed by the Justice Commission of the Grand National Assembly next week.
  • Tunç clarified that the regulation is not personalized and is solely focused on members of the armed PKK terrorist organization.

Turkey's Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç has clarified that the government is not considering a "general amnesty," but is instead preparing a specific legal regulation pertaining to members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The proposed legislation, comprising 15 articles, is anticipated to be presented to the Grand National Assembly's Justice Commission next week before moving to the General Assembly for debate.

"The process for a Turkey without terror has reached a good stage, as far as I know," Tunç stated during a broadcast on TRT Haber, referencing remarks by the Parliament Speaker. He indicated that while the Ministry of Justice provides technical input on legal drafts when requested, the parliamentary process is independent. "We just can offer suggestions technically, as the Ministry of Justice, during the law-making phase, as they wish. But this process needs to be completed as soon as possible."

This came as a separate package. Specifically, it came as a package concerning the PKK armed terrorist organization. There is no general amnesty regulation here. There is no regulation specific to an individual.

— Yılmaz TunçClarifying the nature of the proposed legal regulation during a broadcast on TRT Haber.

Addressing the ongoing discussions about a general amnesty, Tunç emphasized that the current package is distinct. "This came as a separate package. Specifically, it came as a package concerning the PKK armed terrorist organization. There is no general amnesty regulation here. There is no regulation specific to an individual," he explained. He reiterated that the Parliament holds the ultimate discretion on such matters, and while a general amnesty could theoretically be brought to the agenda at any time, the current focus is solely on the PKK.

Tunç's statements aim to manage public perception and preempt speculation about a broad amnesty, clearly delineating the scope of the upcoming legislative measure. The regulation is specifically designed to address issues related to the PKK, differentiating it from any wider clemency considerations.

The process for a Turkey without terror has reached a good stage, as far as I know.

— Yılmaz TunçCommenting on the progress of counter-terrorism efforts in Turkey.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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