Prof. Havva Kök Arslan from the Department of Political Science and International Relations (English), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar University, and Director of the Üsküdar University Strategic Research Application and Research Center, evaluated the “Law Proposal on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration,” which was accepted in the Parliament within the scope of the “Türkiye Without Terrorism” process, from its legal, political, social, psychological, economic, and regional dimensions.
Stating that “the ‘Law Proposal on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration’ accepted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly is seen as a turning point in resolving the 40-year-old terrorism problem,” Prof. Arslan said, “However, the success of this process is not solely dependent on legal texts. After many years of conflict, lasting peace is possible only by healing the wounds in society’s memory and people trusting each other again.”
This is not an amnesty law
Noting that this law proposal, titled "National Solidarity and Social Integration," foresees the postponement of sentences for those not involved in certain crimes, provided that the terrorist organization lays down its arms and dissolves itself, Prof. Arslan said, “First, it must be clearly stated: This is not an amnesty law. It does not abolish crimes; it only suspends judicial processes under very strict conditions. The proposal places the de facto liquidation of the organization before the legal mechanism, stating ‘first arms, then law.’ In this respect, we can evaluate it as a framework that aims for the permanence of the process and does not compromise deterrence.”
The process is a state project beyond political consensus
Stating that this regulation demonstrates the will to move the resolution of the terrorism problem beyond political will to a legal basis, Prof. Arslan said, “The entry into force of the law will place the process within an institutional framework, freeing it from arbitrariness. According to the law proposal, those who fulfill the conditions set by the state will be guaranteed legal protection. In this respect, the process is more than just a political consensus; it is a long-term state project, progressing under the supervision of state institutions and the Parliament. In other words, this project, initiated by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli on October 1, 2024, is now a vision adopted not by a political party, but by the Republic of Türkiye.”
Surrender of weapons will not be enough; NSS confirmation will also be required
Prof. Arslan emphasized that the criteria by which the liquidation of the terrorist organization will be verified are decisive for the reliability of the process, stating that the proposal foresees a two-stage mechanism in this regard.
Prof. Arslan conveyed that in the first stage, security institutions must determine that the PKK/KCK terrorist organization and its affiliated structures have ceased their actual existence and surrendered the weapons and ammunition under their control. In the second stage, he noted that confirmation by the National Security Council and the publication of this decision in the Official Gazette are foreseen.
Prof. Arslan stated, “No provision of the law can be put into effect before these two stages are completed. In other words, laying down arms and organizational liquidation alone are not sufficient; it is mandatory for this situation to be officially verified by the state. This mechanism is extremely important for the reliability and deterrence of the process.”
“The condition of integration with the state and nation should be added”
Prof. Havva Kök Arslan, stating that the proposal demonstrates sensitivity on this issue by excluding serious crimes, continued:
“Crimes of intentional killing committed within the framework of PKK terrorist organization activities and crimes requiring life imprisonment committed before a certain date will not benefit from the law. This is a critical balancing element aimed at protecting the sense of justice of martyrs’ families and veterans. However, there is a serious deficiency here: The condition of ‘integration with the state and nation’ should be added to the proposal. It is not enough for those who will benefit from this to merely expect their sentences to be postponed. They must declare with a clear and definite will that they wish to benefit from this right ‘with the aim of integrating into the State of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Nation.’ This condition is the most important guarantee that will save the process from identity politics and transform it into a citizenship affiliation. The rights of martyrs’ families must be protected, but these rights should not be used as a reason to exclude other citizens who wish to make peace with the state.”
A historic opportunity to close a 40-year period of conflict
Stating that the implementation of the law could open the door to a new era for Türkiye, Prof. Arslan noted the following:
“The enactment of this law proposal is a historic opportunity to permanently remove the 40-year-old terrorism problem from Türkiye’s agenda and to build social peace and national solidarity. The process aims to implement the ‘Türkiye Without Terrorism’ vision with the principle of ‘first disarmament, then law.’ The completion of detection and confirmation processes and the de facto implementation of the law are expected by August-September 2026. However, it should not be forgotten that even if the weapons fall silent, the pain in society’s memory does not easily fade.”
The most critical issue is the proper management of societal psychology
Prof. Arslan stated that the most critical risk in this process is to correctly manage the psychology of society, saying, “According to social psychologist Daniel Bar-Tal’s concept of ‘culture of conflict,’ years of violence create a permanent psychological climate in societies. People do not only remember the pains they experienced in the past, but they also interpret current developments within the mental framework created by those pains. Therefore, the objections of IYI Party, Zafer Party, and the very respected individuals who signed the ‘242 Intellectuals’ Declaration’ are understandable and valid. These individuals represent the nerve endings of Turkish nationalism; their concern is that the process will lead to the division of Türkiye. However, these objections must be taken seriously and answered as follows: This framework law has been developed to prevent the division of Türkiye. Öcalan’s statement in his February 27, 2025 declaration, ‘We have abandoned the goal of a Kurdish state,’ is precisely the most crucial will to alleviate this concern. In other words, the process is a project that unites Türkiye, not divides it.”
Prejudices are transformed not by propaganda, but by new trust-based experiences
Stating that the question of how society will be prepared for the new process is critically important, Prof. Arslan said, “According to Gordon Allport’s ‘Contact Hypothesis,’ prejudices do not disappear with political rhetoric or state declarations. When people have known the other side for years through conflicts, pains, and fears, permanent patterns form in their minds. What will change these patterns is not propaganda, but new social experiences based on trust. However, not every contact produces peace; contact established in environments where there is no trust and the sense of justice is damaged deepens suspicions instead of strengthening reconciliation. It is essential for the state to explain this truth to society with the right language, style, and tools. The objections of nationalist segments are a natural part of the process and should be accepted; the real issue is to build social consensus by constructively addressing these objections.”
Ending terrorism can create resources for economy and development
Prof. Arslan expressed his views, stating that a new era could begin in terms of investment and employment, especially in regions affected by terrorism. “The elimination of the cost of terrorism to Türkiye will enable resources to be directed towards development, infrastructure, and increased welfare. Investment and employment could increase in regions affected by terrorism, particularly in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Opportunities such as the Nusaybin border gate and the Development Road project will connect Türkiye to the Persian Gulf by passing through the Kurdish region, offering tremendous economic opportunities.”
A new phase may begin in Syria and Iraq policy
Prof. Arslan pointed out that the liquidation of terrorism could also directly reflect on Türkiye’s foreign policy, stating, “Türkiye’s policies against terrorist elements in Syria and Iraq could evolve into a new phase. As cross-border security concerns diminish, a new era based on stability and economic cooperation with neighboring countries could begin.”
This process is about the state and its citizens making peace, not Turkish and Kurdish brethren
Prof. Havva Kök Arslan, stating, “The law proposal offers a very important historical opportunity, but the spirit of society must also be prepared,” concluded her words as follows:
“This process is about the state and its citizens making peace, not Turkish and Kurdish brethren. Türkiye possesses an ancient state tradition that will establish security and prosperity in this geography. Atatürk's definition, ‘The people of Türkiye who founded the Republic of Türkiye are called the Turkish nation,’ should be the compass for this process. However, the biggest shortcoming of the current proposal is that it does not include the condition of belonging, which would fully embrace this historic opportunity. If the condition of ‘Integration with the State and Nation’ is added to the proposal and regulations are made to free the judiciary from the guardianship of the administration, Türkiye will confidently walk towards the prosperous and peaceful future it deserves. Beyond this, however, it is essential to activate numerous tools, from education to media, from civil society activities to joint cultural projects, to rebuild the trust that different segments of society have in each other. Lasting normalization will be possible with this psychological and social transformation. Criticism is not being against the process; on the contrary, it is a constructive contribution made to ensure the process rests on firmer foundations.”
