Pro-Kurdish Legislators End Boycott of Turkish Parliament

Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey—A pro-Kurdish party on Saturday ended its four-month-old boycott of the parliament as its lawmakers joined the legislative body to take their oath to assume office.

The lawmakers of the Peace and Democracy Party have been refusing to take an oath of office following their election in June as they pressed for the release of five pro-Kurdish legislators held on charges of rebel ties. They also wanted another Kurdish politician, Hatip Dicle, whose election was canceled due to a conviction for rebel links, to be allowed to take office.

“We are joining the parliament to work for peace and equal rights for all citizens,” Selahattin Demirtas, the chairman of the party, told reporters on Saturday.

Thirty party lawmakers will take their oath in the 550-seat parliament which convened following summer recess. Mr. Demirtas first announced the party’s decision to end the boycott on Wednesday.

The rebels have killed dozens of members of the security force and at least 14 civilians since July and kidnapped several state employees, including a dozen teachers, in apparent response to the government’s refusal to allow education in Kurdish language.

Turkey’s military has responded by staging airstrikes against Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq and launching anti-rebel operations against rebel bands on remote mountains along the Iraqi border.

Turkey last staged an incursion into Iraq early 2008 and it has not ruled out a new cross-border raid if needed. Lawmakers are to vote to extend a mandate authorizing the military to launch cross-border operations against Kurdish rebel bases in Iraq. The current mandate expires on Oct. 17. The measure is expected to be swiftly approved despite strong opposition of the pro-Kurdish party.

via Pro-Kurdish Legislators End Boycott of Turkish Parliament – WSJ.com.