ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MP Pervin Buldan on Friday stressed the importance of proceeding to the “second phase” of the peace process between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Ankara, and called for drafting a legislation to act as the basis for the upcoming stage.

“It is necessary to say that we have moved to the second stage. In the second stage, there is also a need for a legal, judicial foundation. There is a need for legal regulation. This legal regulation must of course be a peace law,” Buldan, a chief negotiator in the process, told reporters.

The pro-Kurdish lawmaker stated that the work of both the Turkish parliamentary commission concerned with the peace process, as well as Turkish political parties “will be important at this level,” referring to the judicial stage.

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission paid its first visit to jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan on Imrali Island in late November, later asserting that “positive outcomes” had been reached.

Buldan’s remarks came following a meeting between DEM party’s Imrali delegation and leader of the far-right Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli.

Bahceli, who initiated the peace process back in October 2024, expressed support for Buldan’s call, stating: “Ms. Pervin explained the issue very clearly. I stand by every sentence she said.”

Earlier this month, Bahceli said that “no one promised amnesty” to PKK fighters, slamming remarks by a senior member of the group who claimed the cadres had committed no crime and should join the political sphere.

Providing a legal framework to realize peace, instilling democracy, preserving Kurdish rights by law, and ensuring due process for former PKK members have been among the main demands of Ocalan and DEM Party during the current process.

In October 2024, Bahceli urged Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and call on his group to disarm, kickstarting the peace process.

The PKK held a congress in May wherein the group decided to dissolve and disband in response to Ocalan’s historic call in February. 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.