Türkiye Crosses 'Critical Threshold' Towards Terror-Free Future, Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş Announces

Türkiye Reaches 'Critical Threshold' in Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş announced on February 21, 2026, that Türkiye has reached a 'critical threshold' in its long-standing efforts to achieve a 'terror-free Türkiye.' Speaking in Istanbul, Kurtulmuş emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the process necessitates continued legal reforms and robust political consensus to be fully realized. This declaration follows the submission of a comprehensive report by a special parliamentary commission, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's counter-terrorism strategy.

Parliamentary Commission Submits Landmark Report

The statement by Speaker Kurtulmuş came shortly after the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, established within the Turkish Grand National Assembly, submitted its final report on February 18, 2026. The 60-82 page document, compiled over 88 hours of work and comprising seven main sections, outlines a roadmap for democratization and legal reforms aimed at permanently eradicating terrorism from Türkiye's agenda. The commission's work reflects a broad political process that gained momentum following a call from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli in October 2024 for a new parliamentary initiative.

A key aspect of this initiative is the response from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU. The PKK announced its dissolution in May 2025 and began disarming in July 2025, spurred by a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, in February 2025. Türkiye's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler also affirmed that terrorism is 'on the verge of extinction' in the country, attributing this to sustained military operations and a reinforced peace process.

Legal Reforms and the Principle of No Amnesty

The commission's report proposes a series of legal and administrative steps, with a strong emphasis on ensuring justice and preventing impunity. Kurtulmuş explicitly stated that the report 'does not constitute an amnesty' and that legal arrangements 'should not create a perception of impunity and amnesty in society.' Key recommendations include:

• Reviewing execution and trial legislation.
• Strengthening compliance with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Constitutional Court.
• Clarifying anti-terrorism law definitions to exclude non-violent acts.
• Expanding freedoms of expression, press, and assembly.
• Developing programs for the social reintegration of individuals who reject weapons and violence.

The report underscores that legal proceedings must be conducted for all individuals involved, and any legislation should aim for the fair, safe, and healthy integration of relevant persons into society.

Call for Continued Political Consensus

Speaker Kurtulmuş stressed the importance of fostering broader public and political consensus to successfully navigate the next phases of the 'terror-free Türkiye' process. He called for all political parties to collaborate on legal regulations, expressing hope that 'regulations that all parties will sign off on will be implemented.' The initiative aims to resolve an issue that has plagued Türkiye for decades, with the PKK conflict alone claiming over 40,000 lives since 1984. The commission's work is seen as a 'historic responsibility' to strengthen social peace, unity, and national solidarity, ensuring that 'terrorism will no longer be on our national agenda.'