German Bundestag Vice President Ramelow calls for amnesty for PKK members
Bodo Ramelow, vice president of Germany's Bundestag, has urged Berlin to grant a broad amnesty to Kurdish activists facing PKK-related charges in Germany, pointing to the new peace process underway in Turkey.
RastinewsBodo Ramelow, vice president of Germany's Bundestag, has called for a comprehensive amnesty for Kurdish activists prosecuted in Germany over PKK-related offenses, citing the peace process now underway in Turkey.
Ramelow, a member of the Left Party, made the remarks in an interview with the Rheinische Post, commenting on a framework bill submitted to the Turkish parliament. The interview was reported by DW Turkish.
"The framework law submitted to parliament in Ankara opens the door to peace and is a response to the PKK's voluntary dissolution last year," Ramelow said.
Ramelow said the German government should back Turkey's process diplomatically, and called for a similar legal step in Germany.
"The German government should diplomatically support the path being pursued, and alongside that, implement a comprehensive and swift amnesty for Kurdish activists in Germany, just as is envisaged in Turkey," Ramelow said, adding that such a step would be "concrete support for peace in the region and for the rights and interests of the Kurds."
Ramelow said he welcomed the Turkish government's readiness to take concrete steps toward peace with the Kurds, adding that the process matters for democratic change and for ending a history of conflict.
Framework bill clears Justice Committee
According to DW, the 12-article framework bill, which includes provisions for suspending sentences and granting probation to PKK members, has been approved by the Turkish parliament's Justice Committee. It is expected to reach the General Assembly early next week.
Under the bill, investigations, prosecutions and sentence enforcement for certain terrorism offenses would be suspended, provided security agencies confirm that the PKK has ended its physical presence and handed over its weapons.
The offense of "premeditated murder," along with crimes committed before June 1, 2005 that carry life or aggravated life sentences, are excluded from the bill. Because of these exclusions, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan would not benefit from the law.
Following Öcalan's February 27, 2025 call for the group to lay down arms and disband, the PKK announced in May 2025 that it had ended its organizational existence.
The PKK is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. Its activities in Germany have been banned since 1993.
Source: DW Turkish