Turkey establishes Follow-up Board for new anti-terror law

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has approved the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, establishing a legal framework for the ‘Terror-free Turkey’ initiative. Following its publication in the Official Gazette, a Follow-up, Coordination, and Implementation Board has been formed to oversee the process.

Chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, the eight-member board includes the heads of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the General Secretaries of the Presidency and the National Security Council (MGK), as well as the Ministers of Justice, Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Interior. The board is scheduled to hold its first meeting on August 24.

The process begins with the verification of weapons surrender. Members of the PKK/KCK are required to surrender weapons, ammunition, explosives, and communication equipment, including drones. Security agencies will record these items, and the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of National Defense will determine the procedures for surrender.

Once security agencies confirm the cessation of the group's physical presence and the surrender of weaponry, the National Security Council (MGK) will verify these findings. Upon the MGK's decision being published in the Official Gazette, a six-month application period will open for organization members to access the legal rights provided by the law. Additionally, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey will establish a Monitoring Commission to oversee the implementation of the law and provide recommendations.