ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Devlet Behceli, leader of Turkey’s far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), on Tuesday asserted that “no one is promising amnesty” to Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) cadres, slamming remarks by a senior member of the group who claimed the cadres had committed no crime and should join the political sphere.

On Friday, Bese Hozat, co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella group that includes the PKK, stated that the peace process in Turkey has entered a new phase, requiring legal regulations where PKK cadres are “granted the right to engage in politics.”

In addition, Hozat asserted that the organization’s members do not require amnesty, as the term implies guilt, insisting no crimes have been committed.

“PKK cadres, the cadres of this movement, are not asking for amnesty or anything. They are not asking for a homecoming law or anything… No one has committed a crime, and since no crime has been committed, they are not asking for amnesty. Amnesty is made for those who have committed crimes,” she said in an interview with PKK-affiliated Medya Haber.

Behceli, in an interview with pro-MHP Turkgun newspaper, responded to the senior KCK leader, stating: “Look at these vulgar words—no one has committed a crime! Therefore, they supposedly don't want amnesty or anything. Besides, there's no one promising amnesty anyway.”

“It's clear, evident, and documented before history and public conscience what crimes have been committed. Let them not make us open our mouths… everyone should know their place and limits,” the MHP leader added.

The peace process in Turkey was initiated last year by Bahceli, who urged jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and call on his group to disarm.

The PKK held a congress in May in the Kurdistan Region wherein the group decided to dissolve and disband upon the call of Ocalan. The group has since then taken two significant steps: Laying down the arms of some of its commanders in a historic ceremony, and announcing their withdrawal from Turkish territory.

The disarmament kickstarted what is now known as the “PKK-Turkey peace process,” and the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission has been established in the parliament with the participation of all political parties to implement the legal and political measures of the process.

On Monday, the parliamentary commission visited Ocalan on the secluded prison island of Imrali, with the parliament’s presidency stating that “positive results were obtained” from the visit and that there had been “positive advancement of the process.”

However, the PKK continues to express concern over the lack of concrete measures taken by Ankara to establish a political framework ensuring the success of the peace process.