Turkey’s Parliament Launches Historic Commission to Address the “Tek-Halk” Question

ANKARA — In a landmark move that signals a potential turning point in Turkey’s decades-long conflict with its Kurdish, Alevi, Armenian, Syriac, and Greek population groups, the Turkish Grand National Assembly has officially announced the formation of a new multi-party body tasked with guiding the country toward a peaceful resolution of the denial by the Turkish state, since it establishment in 1923, of its indigenous peoples. The “Peace and Democratic Society Commission,” consisting of 51 members from all political parties, is set to begin its work in early August. 

Speaker of Parliament Numan Kurtulmuş revealed the commission’s details on Friday, calling it “an essential step toward a Turkey without terrorism.” He emphasized that the body would serve as a platform for political dialogue, consensus-building, and democratic deepening. “We will shape the decisions in a manner that benefits both the state and the people, in an environment that encourages diverse viewpoints and honest exchanges,” Kurtulmuş said. 

Also read: The Kurdish Issue and the Syriacs   

The announcement follows a surprising and widely lauded call in February from imprisoned Abdullah Öcalan, founder and leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), urging his movement to disarm and dissolve. The message led to a symbolic disarmament gesture earlier this month by 30 PKK fighters and has reinvigorated domestic and international hopes for a sustainable peace process in Turkey. 

The 51-seat commission reflects Turkey’s political mosaic: 21 members from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), 10 from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), 4 from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), 4 from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), 3 from the nationalist-conservative GOOD Party (İYİ), and 3 from the new centrist-liberal New Path Party (Yeni Yol). The remaining six seats will be reserved for representatives of non-parliamentary political groups and independent civil actors. All party groups have until July 31 to nominate their representatives. 

While Parliament is officially in recess until October 1, the commission will begin drafting policy proposals and legal frameworks during the summer months. Its primary mandate: transform the fragile goodwill surrounding the peace process into enforceable legislation and concrete reform. 

The commission’s formation comes amid a tense regional backdrop. Just weeks ago, sectarian violence erupted in Suwayda between Druze militias and Sunni Arab Bedouin tribes—some of whom openly supported the Syrian government. Turkish officials view the domestic peace process as crucial not only for internal stability, but also for Turkey’s role in a volatile Middle East. 

“We are determined to end terrorism in this country once and for all,” Kurtulmuş said, linking the commission’s mission to broader regional trends. “Successfully navigating this process is essential at a time when many countries around us are being dragged into the chaos of terrorism and proxy wars.” 

Kurtulmuş underscored that the committee will deliver its first set of legislative recommendations to Parliament within a short time frame. While skepticism remains—particularly from nationalist factions wary of engaging with Kurdish demands—there is cautious optimism that this new initiative could succeed where previous efforts failed. 

As the summer unfolds, all eyes will be on Ankara—not only to see who fills the commission’s seats, but whether Turkey’s political elite is truly prepared to break with decades of violence and mistrust, and chart a new path toward inclusive democracy.