ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has proposed legislation intended to help move forward a stalled peace process with the Kurdish rebels.
The government submitted draft legislation on Thursday, weeks ahead of presidential elections in which Erdogan is expected to run. The legislation could help Erdogan win Kurdish votes.
The legislation would empower the government to take all measures it deems necessary to advance talks, including steps to “rehabilitate” Kurdish fighters who lay down arms. Officials involved in talks with the rebel group — formally designated as a terrorist organization — would be immune from prosecution.
Last year, Kurdish rebels agreed to a cease-fire but later halted the withdrawal of fighters from Turkey, saying the government had not kept promises.
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