The Republican People’s Party (CHP) has prepared a 20-point democratisation package, marking a significant step in Turkey’s ongoing political debate on reforms. The package proposes the creation of a parliamentary commission to address the Kurdish issue, the release of sick and elderly prisoners, and the removal of legal restrictions on press freedom and political dissent.
According to Ceren Bayar of Gazete Duvar, the draft was prepared under the leadership of CHP Vice Chair Gökçe Gökçen and finalised after extensive discussions within the party. It is expected to be presented to the CHP Central Executive Board for approval in the coming days.
CHP Chair Özgür Özel first announced the initiative during his parliamentary group speech last Tuesday, saying that the opposition was prepared to take concrete steps towards democratisation. He extended an open call to all opposition parties, including the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, to engage in the process.
“If you want to solve the Kurdish issue, if you stand for democratisation, we are here. The challenge is on the table,” Özel declared.
Since 27 February, Özel has repeatedly urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to abandon political games and commit to democratic reforms. He criticised the government’s failure to uphold basic democratic principles and accused Erdoğan of obstructing genuine reform efforts through legal and institutional manipulation.
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The 20-point package contains no constitutional amendments, meaning all proposals can be implemented through parliamentary legislation. According to CHP sources, the package aims to restore democratic norms, uphold human rights and create institutional mechanisms to address deep-rooted political issues, including the Kurdish issue.
Below are a number of the points in the CHP’s package:
*Abolition of the government-appointed trustee system [in which elected officials are deposed and replaced] in local administrations.
*Establishment of a parliamentary commission to discuss and implement steps towards resolving the Kurdish issue.
*Judicial reforms to align Turkish penal law with international human rights standards, including amendments to the Turkish Penal Code and the Anti-Terror Law.
*Release of sick and elderly prisoners as well as political detainees in cases such as the Gezi Park case.
*Lifting restrictions on press and expression freedoms. This would include the repeal of the disinformation law.
*Legal safeguards for freedom of assembly and organisation.
*Tougher penalties for hate speech and hate crimes.
*Ensuring the independence of human rights institutions, such as the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey.
According to party sources cited by Gazete Duvar, CHP officials have rejected any constitutional negotiations under the current administration, arguing that the government has systematically ignored the existing constitution and cannot be trusted to lead a fair reform process.
“We do not believe a new constitution can be drafted with this government, which does not even implement the current one,” a CHP official stated. However, they stressed that practical legislative reforms could still significantly improve Turkey’s democratic standards and contribute to resolving the Kurdish issue.
The timing of the initiative follows the historical peace call made by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, which Özel has openly acknowledged during his recent speeches. The CHP’s move is seen as a direct challenge to Erdoğan’s approach to governance, with Özel positioning the party as a proponent of democratic transition and national reconciliation.
The package is soon to be reviewed by the executive board, and the CHP leadership will decide on the next steps in its parliamentary agenda.
