Kathmandu— Turkish lawmakers have approved a bill offering conditional pardons to thousands of members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), marking a significant step toward ending decades of conflict. The legislation, passed on Monday with overwhelming support, allows for the suspension of prosecutions and prison sentences for certain offenses committed by PKK fighters who lay down their weapons and return to civilian life, though it does not constitute a full amnesty. This move follows an 18-month period after Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s jailed founder, called on his followers to disarm, and is backed by both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party.

Decades of Conflict

The conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK began in 1984 and has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths. The fighting has had a significant economic impact on southeastern Turkey, which is largely populated by Kurds, and has contributed to long-standing political and social divisions within the country. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union.

Terms of the Legislation

The approved legislation suspends prosecutions and prison sentences for specific offenses for a period ranging from five to ten years. Lawmakers anticipate that around 3,500 PKK-linked detainees will be released in an initial phase, representing approximately one-third of those currently held in Turkish prisons. The bill is Turkiye’s first legislative step towards ending the conflict.

Political Support for the Bill

The bill received broad support from across the political spectrum, passing with 468 votes in favor, 88 against, and six abstentions. It was backed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) as well as the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, signaling a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation on the issue.

The implementation of the bill and its impact on the disarmament process remain to be seen, but it represents a potentially transformative moment in Turkiye’s efforts to resolve the long-running conflict with the PKK.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.