By Ahmed Rasheed
BAGHDAD, Feb 19 (Reuters) - A Turkish parliamentary commission's approval of a report setting out a roadmap for legal reforms alongside the disbandment of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group is an important step and the beginning of a fundamental change in Turkish policy, a PKK source told Reuters on Thursday.
The commission voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to approve the report, advancing a peace process designed to end decades of conflict.
"The vote is considered an achievement and an important step toward consolidating democracy in Turkey," said the PKK source.
The PKK - designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union - halted attacks last year and said in May it had decided to disband and end its armed struggle.
The parliamentary vote shifts the peace process to the legislative theatre, as President Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's leader of more than two decades, bids to end a conflict focused in mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey.
The insurgency began in 1984 and has killed more than 40,000 people, sowing deep discord at home and spreading violence across borders into Iraq and Syria.
IMPORTANT ISSUES OUTSTANDING
The PKK source said there were foundations for resolving the Kurdish issue, but there was a lack of clarity on the issue in the report.
"There also remain other important issues, such as initiating constitutional amendments, especially in aspects related to the Kurdish language as well as amendments to the anti-terrorism law," the source said.
Another issue was legislation concerning the return of PKK militants to Turkey and their integration into society, the source said.
A key element of Wednesday's report recommended strengthening mechanisms to ensure compliance with decisions by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Constitutional Court.
Among key ECHR decisions related to Turkey are rulings that the rights of jailed former pro-Kurdish party leader Selahattin Demirtas had been violated and that he should be released immediately.
Ankara's final appeal against that was rejected in November.
SIGN OF INTENT
Demirtas' lawyer Mahsuni Karaman told Reuters the report's comments on the ECHR were important as a sign of intent.
"We hope this will be reflected in judicial practice—that is our wish and expectation,” Karaman said.
Demirtas was detained in November 2016 on terrorism-related charges, which he denies. In May 2024, a court convicted him in connection with deadly 2014 protests and sentenced him to more than 40 years in prison.
Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli, a key Erdogan ally whose call in 2024 triggered the current PKK peace process, said in November that it "would be beneficial" to release Demirtas from prison.
The opposition pro-Kurdish DEM Party — the successor party of Demirtas' HDP — remains parliament's third-largest bloc and has cooperated closely with the parliamentary commission.
(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and David Holmes)
