Turkey‑PKK peace process report urges legal reforms and monitoring

The Human Rights Association (İHD) released a "Turkey‑PKK Peace Process Monitoring Report" covering the period from 1 Oct 2024 to 1 Jul 2026. Presented at the Diyarbakır Bar Association by İHD co‑President Cihan Aydın, the report outlines four phases of the process, noting key events such as Abdullah Öcalan’s call on 27 Feb 2025, the PKK’s decision to end armed struggle on 12 May 2025, and the weapon‑burning ceremony on 11 July 2025. It observes that while armed conflict has ceased, lasting peace requires a “framework law” enacted without delay and independent monitoring mechanisms.

The report highlights democratic backsliding during the period, including reduced judicial independence, the appointment of trustees over elected mayors, restrictions on press and assembly, and increased discrimination against LGBTIQ+ persons and women. It stresses that “silahların susması barış için gerekli ama tek başına yeterli değildir” (the silencing of weapons is necessary for peace but not sufficient alone). The İHD recommends seven policy measures: swift passage of a “Social Integration/Framework Law”, simultaneous disarmament and legal reforms, end of trustee appointments, restoration of elected local officials, removal of barriers to freedom of expression, full implementation of European Court of Human Rights and Constitutional Court rulings, and constitutional guarantees for language and cultural rights.