Ankara – The Justice and Development Party (AKP) will submit a 12‑article framework law to Turkey's Grand National Assembly on Wednesday, intended to create a legal foundation for a "Terror‑Free Turkey" initiative, officials said. The draft, described by the government as the first legislative step toward a comprehensive anti‑terrorism strategy, has already been signed by several parliamentary leaders, while opposition parties remain divided.
Legal content and parliamentary timetable
According to the BBC, the proposal comprises twelve distinct articles that outline measures ranging from the definition of terrorism to the establishment of special courts and the coordination of security agencies. The law is being positioned as a framework that will enable subsequent, more detailed legislation to address long‑standing security challenges, particularly in the southeast and other conflict‑prone areas.
The draft is slated for formal presentation to parliament on Wednesday, as reported by ANF. The move follows a series of political consultations held in Ankara after a high‑level meeting on the island of Imrali, where senior officials discussed the scope and timing of the legislation.
Political reactions and signatories
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli was the first to affix his signature to the proposal, a step reported by both Hürriyet Daily News and SonDakika as a sign of the MHP’s backing for the anti‑terror initiative. Shortly thereafter, Numan Kurtulmuş, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, also signed the document, as noted by Haberler.com.
Other figures who have publicly endorsed the framework include Bakırhan, who called the law “the first step in overcoming the historical threshold through law,” and Hatimoğulları, who argued that the legislation should provide the legal basis for a democratic resolution of the country’s security issues. These statements were published in various local outlets, including Haberler.com and ANF.
In contrast, the New Welfare Party announced it would not support the framework law, reflecting broader skepticism among some opposition circles. A representative of the DEM Party also offered an explanation of the law’s provisions, indicating that the party is closely monitoring the draft, according to Sözcü Gazetesi.
The law contains twelve articles that lay out the legal basis for a Terror‑Free Turkey, according to the BBC.
The proposal has been officially titled the "Terror‑Free Turkey" (Terörsüz Türkiye) framework law, a name that was confirmed by multiple Turkish news sites. While the ruling AKP frames the legislation as a necessary response to enduring security threats, critics warn it could expand state powers and affect civil liberties.
Analysts note that the law’s progress will be a litmus test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s broader agenda to consolidate security policy while navigating a fragmented parliamentary landscape. The outcome of the upcoming parliamentary vote could shape Turkey’s internal stability and its diplomatic posture on issues ranging from EU accession talks to regional security cooperation.
