Türkiye's Parliament Passes Pardon Law for Some PKK-Linked Prisoners in First Step Toward Ending 40-Year Conflict

Türkiye's parliament voted 468–88 on August 10, 2026, to pause court cases and sentences for some people linked to the PKK for five to 10 years. A pardon like this sets aside punishment rather than forgiving guilt. Backed by Erdogan's AK Party and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, it could free about 3,500 detainees — a third of those held. This is the country's first legislative step toward ending a conflict that has killed over 40,000 since 1984.