An unprecedented commission established within the Turkish Parliament convened its inaugural meeting today, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's ongoing peace process. The commission's formation follows a call from MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, and the subsequent declaration by the organization to disband and disarm. The Speaker of the Parliament, Numan Kurtulmuş, emphasized the critical importance of this process for the shared future of both Turks and Kurds, framing it as a matter of national survival. Kurtulmuş underscored the Parliament's role as the legitimate address for a solution, advocating for unity, societal peace, and the strengthening of the internal front. He stated that the commission would function as a deliberative and consultative body, with a key responsibility to propose and prepare legal regulations that will solidify peace once all weapons are laid down. The meeting, initially open to the press, was later closed to allow for continued discussions.
The commission, initially comprising 51 members, saw a distribution of seats among political parties: AKP with 21, CHP with 10, DEM Party with 4, MHP with 4, Yeni Yol with 3, HÜDA PAR with 1, YRP with 1, TİP with 1, EMEP with 1, DSP with 1, and DP with 1. Notably, the nationalist İyi Party did not provide members to the commission. The session, which was rescheduled from 11:00 to 11:30, also drew attention for its seating arrangement. In the Parliament's Hall of Honor, AKP and Yeni Yol deputies were seated to the right of the Speaker, while CHP, DEM, MHP, and representatives of parties without a group were on the left. The T24 news site reported this information.
Before commencing his speech, Speaker Kurtulmuş personally greeted each member. He clarified that the primary objective was not to draft a new constitution or legal reforms, but rather to affirm the Parliament's role as the voice of the people, a bearer of social peace, a guarantor of brotherhood, and the legitimate address for solutions. Kurtulmuş emphasized that the disarmament process was not the result of bargaining, but a reflection of the nation's determination for peace and unity. He outlined the commission's operating principles as transparency, openness, and pluralism, asserting that the commission would be a strong platform for building a shared will to coexist, rather than a place for conflicting ideas.
Representatives from various parties also shared their perspectives. Bülent Kaya, Group Head of Yeni Yol, highlighted the importance of addressing issues through negotiation and dialogue to move away from conflict and violence. Mehmet Emin Ekmen of DEVA Party expressed hope that the process would serve as a global model, emphasizing the need to avoid rhetoric and actions that undermine the internal front. Feti Yıldız, Deputy Chairman of MHP, urged against squandering a significant opportunity to overcome a 41-year-old problem, advocating for a new language that embraces all segments of society and expands fundamental rights and freedoms. He also clarified that the commission's role was not to draft a new constitution and that the first four articles of the Constitution were not open for discussion. Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Deputy Group Chairman of DEM Party, stated that the meeting would contribute to the everyday life, law, and democratic future of all citizens in Turkey, stressing that security-oriented approaches that constantly postpone democracy and freedoms cannot solve fundamental problems. Meral Danış Beştaş, also from the DEM Party, acknowledged that the commission might not solve all issues but would be a crucial first step towards a solution, and highlighted the importance of implementing the 'right to hope' for Abdullah Öcalan, citing a 2014 ECHR decision.
This historic meeting, held in the Parliament's Hall of Honor, was meticulously prepared, with U-shaped tables for 48 deputies and two large screens. Special access cards were issued to journalists, with strict rules on photography and video recording. The speeches were timed, with group-affiliated deputies allotted 20 minutes and others 10 minutes. The diverse participation and the earnest discussions underscore the gravity and potential impact of this commission on Turkey's future stability and peace.
Photo: T24