Meetings of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission
First Meetings and Closed Session Protocol (5–8 August)
The first meeting of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission was held on 5 August 2025 in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) Ceremony Hall. The meeting was chaired by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. During this inaugural session, the commission’s working procedures and principles were established, the framework for issues to be addressed in subsequent stages was outlined, and decisions were made regarding whom to invite.
The commission’s second meeting took place on 8 August 2025, also in the TBMM Ceremony Hall. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and Chief of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) İbrahim Kalın attended the meeting. The ministers and the MİT Chief provided the commission with information on the work carried out by their respective institutions and on current developments.
TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş stated that, given the nature of the meeting, it should be conducted as a closed session and submitted the matter to a vote by commission members. The vote resulted in unanimous approval to conduct all meetings under a strict closed-session principle. Under this principle, all statements made during the meetings will be recorded in the official minutes but will not be published or disclosed in any form for a period of ten years.
The second meeting, conducted in accordance with the closed-session principle, lasted approximately 5.5 hours. During this session, the ministers and the MİT Chief delivered comprehensive presentations on security, defense, and intelligence matters, followed by responses to questions from commission members.
The date for the commission’s third meeting has been set for 12 August 2025. This meeting is expected to involve the collection of proposals from members regarding the commission’s work and the planning of subsequent stages.
Third Meeting (12 August)
The third meeting of the commission was held on 12 August 2025 in the TBMM Ceremony Hall. Members of parliament attended the meeting, which was chaired by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. A total of 38 members of parliament took the floor to present their proposals on the agenda.
Prior to the meeting, the three vacant seats—due to the İYİ Party’s decision not to nominate members—were redistributed among other political parties and filled. In this context, Cahit Özkan, MP from Denizli for the AK Party, Umut Akdoğan, MP from Ankara for the CHP, and Celal Fırat, MP from Istanbul for the DEM Party, began their duties as new members of the commission.
The meeting agenda addressed topics including enhancing societal awareness to remove terrorism entirely from Türkiye’s agenda, strengthening national unity and brotherhood, and reinforcing freedom, democracy, and justice. Kurtulmuş noted that while each member approached the issues from different perspectives, all expressed their views openly, which he said contributed positively to the process.
Three main points highlighted by Kurtulmuş during the meeting were:
- Building societal awareness and consensus. Emphasis was placed on establishing trust among broad segments of society.
- Accelerating the pace of work. It was stated that after the completion of speaking and listening phases, matters must be swiftly concluded.
- Overcoming the trust deficit. It was noted that bringing together diverse political viewpoints strengthens trust and contributes to the resolution process.
The commission’s unique structure was emphasized, distinguishing it from conventional commissions by its specific mandate to propose legal reforms following disarmament and to inform public opinion on issues such as democratization, peace, and justice.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was announced that the commission’s fourth meeting will be held on 19 August 2025. It was specified that families of martyrs, veterans, and Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş will be invited to this meeting.
Fourth Meeting (19 August)
The fourth meeting of the Commission was held on 19 August 2025 in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) Ceremony Hall. The meeting was chaired by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. Representatives of families of martyrs and veterans, as well as civil society organizations representing them, were heard during the session. Participants included Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, General President of the Türkiye Association of War Veterans, Martyrs’ Widows and Orphans Mustafa Işık, President of the Türkiye Foundation of War Veterans and Martyrs’ Families Lokman Aylar, President of the Türkiye Foundation for Solidarity with Martyrs’ Families and Veterans Bilge Gürs, and General President of the Türkiye Association of Combat Veterans Beyazıt Yumuk.
In his opening speech, TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş referred to the establishment process of the Commission. He stated that Türkiye had entered a historic phase following the decision to lay down arms, and that the Commission’s work was being intensified under the umbrella of the Assembly. He emphasized the importance of the sacrifices made by martyrs, noting that without their struggle this process would not have taken place today. He added that the phrase “may the homeland be well” had become the shared response of martyrs’ families and was a motto passed down through generations.
Kurtulmuş underscored that veterans are among the most important pillars of the nation, having participated in the struggle with the ethos of “if I die I am a martyr, if I live I am a veteran,” and are entrusted to society. He clarified that from the outset no bargaining had been part of the process, and that the process had been conducted without any element of negotiation. He affirmed that the TBMM was and would remain entirely free of bargaining, with its sole objective being the restoration of eternal and unbreakable brotherhood.
It was announced that all institutional structures capable of contributing to the process would be invited to present their views to the Commission. It was stated that opinions from diverse segments of society—including civil society organizations, professional associations, and opinion leaders—would be gathered. The Commission emphasized that increasing social consensus, fostering sensitivity, and ensuring participation from all societal segments were among its core objectives.
Fifth Meeting (20 August 2025)
The fifth meeting of the Commission was held on 20 August 2025 in the TBMM Ceremony Hall. During this meeting, civil society organizations and family representatives from various segments of society were heard. Participants included representatives from Saturday Mothers and Mothers for Peace, as well as the Human Rights Association (İHD), the Association for Solidarity with Victims of Human Rights Violations (MAZLUMDER), the Tahir Elçi Human Rights Foundation, and the Human Rights and Freedoms (İHH) Humanitarian Aid Foundation.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Kurtulmuş noted that the first three meetings had established the Commission’s working framework, the fourth meeting had heard the voices of martyrs’ families and veterans, and this fifth meeting had convened specifically to gather the perspectives of civil society representatives. He stressed that the pain of past events was a shared burden for all, and must not be exploited for competition. He clarified that the Commission’s purpose was not to revisit past debates, but to take preventive measures to ensure such suffering would not recur in the future.
Civil society representatives who spoke at the meeting put forward various proposals. İHD representatives criticized the Commission for not being established by law and highlighted the short duration of its mandate. They emphasized the need to make visible the grievances and human rights violations related to the Kurdish issue. They proposed legal reforms to enable PKK militants to disarm and reintegrate into social life as a prerequisite for lasting peace. They also stated that the locations of the graves of important historical figures such as Sheikh Said, Seyit Rıza, and Said Nursi should be disclosed, and that returning their remains to their families would enhance social trust.
MAZLUMDER representatives stressed that the process must be supported by legal frameworks and that steps must be structured to prevent a return to violence. They called for amendments to the Enforcement Law and the termination of administrative appointments to certain municipalities. İHH representatives presented examples from international mediation experiences, asserting that external interventions had negatively affected the process, and that a sustainable solution could only be achieved through the TBMM and Türkiye’s internal dynamics.
In a statement following the meeting, TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş noted that the civil society organizations invited to the Commission had expressed their own views, but that these views were not to be regarded as the Commission’s official or collective positions. He emphasized that all speeches had been recorded and documented in official minutes. He also affirmed that the 51 members of the Commission were united in their determination and that the process would be protected against any provocative actions.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was announced that the commission’s sixth meeting would be held on 27 August 2025 and that former Speakers of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye would be invited to this meeting, followed by the seventh meeting on 28 August 2025, during which the Turkish Bar Association would be heard.
Sixth Meeting (27 August 2025)
The sixth meeting of the commission was held on 27 August 2025 in the Parliamentary Ceremony Hall. The meeting was chaired by the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Numan Kurtulmuş. Present at this session were Erinç Sağkan, President of the Turkish Bar Association (TBA), and the presidents of the bar associations of Ankara No. 2, Bingöl, Diyarbakır, Hatay, Istanbul No. 2, Malatya, Mardin, Mersin, Van and Sivas.
In his opening remarks, Kurtulmuş stated that a historic opportunity had emerged in Türkiye in line with the goal of a “Türkiye without Terrorism,” following the statement issued from İmralı and the organization’s decision to dissolve itself. He emphasized that in this environment, politics had assumed responsibility for establishing an order in which weapons are no longer spoken of and peace and tranquility prevail, and that the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission was established for this purpose.
The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly noted that the commission had produced significant work and that preparing the legal infrastructure in the coming phase was inevitable. He underscored the immense value of the contributions by the Turkish Bar Association and the bar associations, and stated that the views of the legal community would play a vital role in completing the process. Kurtulmuş added, “Establishing a Türkiye model and realizing a model unique to Türkiye will be one of the historic achievements of this commission. This is the expectation of our nation.”
During the meeting, reference was made to the shared views expressed by previously heard groups, including the Mothers of Diyarbakır, Saturday Mothers, Mothers for Peace, families of martyrs and war veterans. Kurtulmuş highlighted their call—“Let us now bury our weapons, not our children”—as a fundamental motivation for the commission’s work.
At the sixth meeting, clarification was provided regarding assessments that the Istanbul No. 1 Bar Association had not been invited. It was stated that the association had been invited under the same procedures but was unable to attend due to scheduling constraints, thereby correcting the public perception that it had been excluded.
Kurtulmuş announced that over 400 proposals had been submitted by commission members and confirmed that all proposals had been formally recorded. He emphasized that the commission’s responsibility extended beyond listening to include results-oriented work, and that the ultimate aim of the process was to transform a state policy into a national policy.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the President of the Turkish Bar Association and the bar presidents shared their views, and members of parliament offered their assessments. In a written statement issued by the Speaker’s Office, it was noted that this meeting once again highlighted the importance of contributions toward enhancing social consensus, and that the inclusion of the legal community was valuable for strengthening the legal foundations of the process.
Seventh Meeting (28 August 2025)
The seventh meeting of the commission was held on 28 August 2025 in the Parliamentary Ceremony Hall. The central agenda of this meeting consisted of assessments by former Speakers of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. The meeting was conducted in two sessions. In the first session, former Speakers Hikmet Çetin, Ömer İzgi, Bülent Arınç, Köksal Toptan and Mehmet Ali Şahin spoke. In the second session, Cemil Çiçek, İsmet Yılmaz, İsmail Kahraman, Binali Yıldırım and Mustafa Şentop shared their views.
In his opening speech, TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş stated that the experiences of former Speakers of the Parliament serve as a guiding reference for the commission and thanked them for accepting the invitation. Kurtulmuş emphasized that this process represents a historic turning point and that the views gathered will make significant contributions to the commission’s work.
During the first session, Hikmet Çetin, Speaker of the 20th TBMM, drew attention to the contribution of MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahçeli to the process and stated that those who were sent to the mountains as children and were found not to have committed any crimes must be pardoned. Çetin also noted that members of armed groups who laid down their weapons could be evaluated in terms of social integration in the future, but that pardons for individuals who committed serious crimes would not be possible. He affirmed that the Kurdish and Turkish peoples have lived interwoven lives and that separation is not feasible.
Ömer İzgi, Speaker of the 21st TBMM, stated that the process began with Bahçeli’s statements and continued with the determination of President Erdoğan. He emphasized that the situations of individuals who were sent to the mountains as children and were found not to have participated in any actions must be addressed by the TBMM. İzgi also suggested that constitutional amendments could be made if necessary, proposing as an example the re-inclusion of the 1924 Constitution’s phrase “All citizens of Türkiye are called Turks regardless of religion or ethnicity.”
Bülent Arınç, Speaker of the 22nd TBMM, considered it important that all political parties except the İYİ Party were represented in the commission and welcomed the DEM Party’s contribution to the process with appreciation. Arınç stated that radical rhetoric from the past must be left behind and that strengthening social consensus is essential. He also expressed that a general amnesty is a necessary requirement.
Köksal Toptan, Speaker of the 23rd TBMM, referred to past constitutional efforts and said that the current commission offers hope for drafting a new and liberal constitution. He stated that achieving a Turkey free of terrorism requires new legislation and new approaches.
Mehmet Ali Şahin, Speaker of the 24th TBMM, stated that the process marks a turning point and that a new era has begun with the contributions of Bahçeli and Erdoğan. He described the goal of a Turkey free of terrorism as a blessed endeavor and stressed the need for urgency on this issue, emphasizing that the commission must focus immediately on its core objectives without delay.
During the second session, İsmet Yılmaz, Speaker of the 26th TBMM, stated that the process transcends party politics, emphasized that the disarmament process must not be prolonged over time, and highlighted the importance of completing the process swiftly with public support. Cemil Çiçek, Speaker of the 25th TBMM, stated that the commission must clarify ambiguities, base its work on facts, and ensure that the process is not exploited as material for domestic political agendas. İsmail Kahraman, Speaker of the 27th TBMM, noted that resolving this issue through the free will of the Parliament holds historical significance and underscored the spirit of unity achieved on 15 July.
Binali Yıldırım, Speaker of the 28th TBMM, drew attention to the importance of anchoring the process in a national foundation and emphasized that the fundamental principles of the Republic are not open to debate. He stated that the unitary state must be preserved, but that strengthening local administrations would be beneficial for the effectiveness of public services. He affirmed that terrorism is the common problem of Turks and Kurds and that a future based on equal citizenship must be built.
Mustafa Şentop, Speaker of the 29th TBMM, stated that the process has been elevated to an institutional and inclusive foundation and that a transparent and multidimensional approach is necessary to achieve peace. He emphasized that the disarmament process must not be prolonged and that all branches of the PKK must be included as interlocutors in this process. Şentop underscored that the commission’s roadmap will not only end terrorism but will also constitute a social reconciliation project aimed at strengthening the unity and solidarity of the nation.
At the end of the meeting, TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated that the views presented by former Speakers of the Assembly were enlightening and that the common emphasis among all was that the process must be addressed as a national issue beyond everyday politics. He also announced that the meeting had been productive and that future sessions plan to invite representatives from the business community, trade unions, and academics to contribute to the process.
