Response to interpellation 2025/26:163 on the peace process in Turkey
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
1 M considers that Sweden stands behind the EU's conclusions on the need to safeguard democracy and the principles of the rule of law in Turkey 1. 1 2 M views positively that the PKK has declared its dissolution and that Turkey has taken steps toward dialogue with the DEM party 1 2. 3 M emphasizes that Sweden continues to highlight the importance of human rights in international forums and consistently supports calls to Turkey to release Demirtaş 3. 2 M views the situation in northeastern Syria with concern and welcomes agreements between Syrian parties 2. 4 V hopes that the Foreign Minister stands up for international law and puts pressure on Erdoğan to create peace in Turkey 4. 4 V considers that Sweden must be a strong voice for the people's best interests in these countries 4. 5 M argues that the government stands up for international law and that Sweden is a clear voice for this 5. 5 M emphasizes that Sweden is active in Syria for an inclusive transition 5. 5 M argues that Sweden provides support to Turkish civil society organizations for human rights 5. 5 M considers that NATO membership increases security and strengthens dialogue with allies 5.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! Håkan Svenneling has asked me if I intend to take measures in the EU to put pressure on Turkey in order to guarantee a peaceful development, if I intend to urge Turkey to comply with decisions from the European Court of Human Rights and other international bodies that protect the principles of the rule of law, if I have urged or will urge Turkey to release political prisoners, and if I have taken or will take any concrete measures to protect and support civil society organizations, free media, and human rights defenders in Turkey.
Sweden stands behind the EU Presidency's conclusions of 16 December 2025 on the need to safeguard democracy, the rule of law principles and fundamental rights in Turkey. We share the concern expressed in the conclusions regarding the recent arrests and indictments of democratically elected representatives in Turkey. The Government considers these arrests to be incompatible with democratic principles.
At the same time, we view positively that the terrorist organization PKK has declared that the organization is being dissolved and that Turkey's government has taken steps towards engaging in a dialogue with the pro-Kurdish DEM party. It is important that this process takes place in a peaceful manner and through democratic means.
The Government continues to emphasize the importance of respect for democracy and human rights within the EU, in the Council of Europe, and in other international forums based on the international commitments that Turkey has made, among other things as a member of the Council of Europe and OSCE.
Turkey is an ally within Nato and an important security policy actor. This does not prevent Sweden from continuing to react when Turkey does not live up to its international commitments or fails to implement the European Court of Human Rights' decisions.
Sweden has for many years had a well-established role as a bilateral aid donor primarily in the areas of human rights, democracy and equality in Turkey. The majority of the support goes to civil society organizations and UN agencies that work with these issues.
Håkan Svenneling (V)
Madam Speaker! Under Erdoğan's rule, the development in Turkey has taken clear steps in the completely wrong direction. Since the failed coup attempt in the summer of 2016, ten years ago, the restrictions on democratic freedoms and rights have increased further. Mass arrests and restrictions on freedom of speech have been recurring. Through an amendment of the constitution in the spring of 2017, even more power has been concentrated in the hands of President Erdoğan.
The development for democracy and human rights in Turkey is uncertain, and at the moment, there are many conceivable outcomes for how it may proceed. On May 12, 2025, the PKK decided in connection with its congress to lay down its weapons and dissolve as an organization. On October 26, the withdrawal of the organization's forces from Turkey began as part of the peace process.
A prerequisite for a successful peace process is a will from all involved parties to achieve a peace that is as sustainable as possible. It will involve concessions from both the PKK and Erdoğan's regime. The reconciliation committee established by the Turkish parliament is an important step in the work. In the committee, important voices will now get a platform where they can raise their perspectives. I have, for example, heard that the organization for the mothers who have lost their children but have not recovered their bodies has been given an opportunity to speak before the committee.
Erdoğan and his regime must now provide real conditions for political solutions and democratic development. This requires respect for human rights and the principles of the rule of law. We have seen him violate these many times.
An example of how fragile the peace process is is that all parties do not even call this a peace process. Erdoğan's goal is likely to remain in power as president in his giant palace, which has over a thousand rooms. It was the same palace that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited when he pleaded and begged that Sweden should become a NATO member. In the current situation, however, Turkey's constitution does not allow Erdoğan to sit for more terms in the palace, but a constitutional amendment is required. He likely therefore wants to achieve an amendment of that with the help of the Kurds' support.
Madam Speaker! Today, thousands of people are imprisoned as political prisoners in Turkey. One example is the imprisonment of the former party leader of the pro-Kurdish party HDP, now the DEM Party, Selahattin Demirtaş. He has been sentenced to 42 years in prison solely because he was an opposition politician. Time and again, the European Court of Human Rights has demanded that he be released and that the charges be dropped. Turkey must therefore follow that immediately, which it has not done.
One also needs to break the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, give his lawyers and family access to the prison island where he is currently held and move him from there, as well as guarantee him a legally secure judicial process.
Many of the solutions in the peace process in Turkey lie in the treatment of Kurdish leaders and their release.
People often talk about the Kurdish question, that is, the question of the Kurds' right to their language, their history and their culture.
Sweden and the EU are today sending significant financial support to Turkey. One receives, among other things, a so-called pre-accession support for membership in the EU, despite the fact that the negotiations are frozen. So far, one has received up to 50 billion kronor here. One has also received approximately 60 billion kronor through the refugee agreement between the EU and Turkey.
I have asked the minister four questions, which I hope to receive answers to today.
Vänsterpartiet has repeatedly criticized the Swedish government for a lack of commitment to human rights and democracy in Turkey. Sweden's NATO membership meant a shift that has led to that, in practice, one does not take a stand against Erdoğan's repressive policies. But for a long-term, sustainable and peaceful solution, it is required that we put pressure on the Turkish regime.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! The developments in Turkey in recent years have involved extensive arrests of opposition politicians, including, as mentioned, the former party leader of the pro-Kurdish party, Selahattin Demirtaş. Human rights defenders, civil society representatives, journalists, and businessmen have also been arrested. We view this development with concern, as it raises questions about respect for human rights and the state of democracy in Turkey.
In the European Commission's annual review report on Turkey, which was published in November 2025 and which I mentioned earlier, several high-profile cases in the European Court of Human Rights, also called the ECtHR, are described. Turkey has been convicted in the court for violations of rights according to the European Convention. This includes, among other things, the long-running processes regarding the release of Demirtaş.
The Council of Europe has human rights and democracy as its fundamental pillars, and Turkey, as a member of the Council of Europe, has committed to complying with the European Court of Human Rights' judgments in cases concerning its own country. When the question of the enforcement of the judgments has been raised in the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, Sweden has consistently stood behind the calls to Turkey to respect the judgments and also to release Demirtaş.
It is serious that Turkey has not enforced these judgments. What role the newly established parliamentary commission can have in promoting the release of opposition figures as part of the re-evaluation of the Kurdish issue remains to be seen.
As stated in the response, Sweden is very clear here, while at the same time we emphasize the importance of continuing the cooperation with Turkey, not least when it comes to combating serious organized crime, which to an all too great extent is conducted from just Turkey.
Håkan Svenneling (V)
Madam Speaker! Even though it is important to talk about the situation for human rights and peace in Turkey, we must not forget Turkey's broader role for peace in the entire Middle East. Turkey is in many ways one of several regional powers, with a self-interest far beyond the country's borders. For a long time, one of these interests has been to pose a threat to the Kurdish people, even outside of Turkey, such as in the Rojava region in northeastern Syria. Turkey has repeatedly carried out territorial violations of its neighboring countries through air and ground attacks against Kurdish areas in the neighboring countries Syria and Iraq.
In the 15-year long civil war in Syria, Turkey has for a long time supported and governed jihadist groups, and even though Turkey formally opposed the Islamic State, IS or Daish, the country's borders in the south were for a long time porous and let through many of those who became terrorists for the Islamic State. Only when Turkey itself was subjected to terror attacks from IS were real measures implemented.
The international community has for a long time, and under the leadership of the USA, had the global coalition against Daesh, and at times the activity has been high. But in recent years, the activity in the coalition has decreased alarmingly. The problems following IS's rampage have instead been handled by the Kurds in Rojava and the Iraqi judiciary. We in the Western world have in practice taken our hands off the problems, even though many of the most dangerous terrorists are from our countries. In recent years, they have therefore been in prisons and camps such as al-Hol.
Now Turkey is instead acting in direct opposition to the global coalition against Daesh by having their jihadist groups, together with the Syrian regime's forces, attack the Kurdish areas where many of the IS terrorists have been held imprisoned. In the last few days, thousands of terrorists have been freed, and they now risk posing a threat to us. For example, two terrorists planned an attack against the Swedish Riksdag.
What does the Minister for Foreign Affairs think about this development? What are her thoughts on Turkey's role, and how does the Minister for Foreign Affairs intend to act so that the global coalition against Daish will be reactivated to contribute to regional and global security?
Madam Speaker! I shall also take the opportunity to condemn the attacks against the Foreign Minister's ministerial colleagues Forssell and Dousa at their respective homes. I know that the Foreign Minister has also been subjected to attacks, both in the chamber and at his home. In a democracy, it is not acceptable to attack members of the government. We need to stand up for our democracy, and this type of attack is not acceptable.
The developments in Syria entail enormous humanitarian needs. We know that the fighting between government forces and Kurdish forces has led to many people being on the run. The humanitarian needs are not met by themselves, but Sweden, the EU and the rest of the world must now act to help people on the run, secure peace and rebuild Syria.
Madam Speaker! There is a great risk that self-interest will prevail in Syria instead of us finding a way to support peace, which would be the best. There are many ethnic groups, and much has happened during the long civil war. We could play a role here, but then we must support the groups that stand up for international law and democracy and that try to stop the advance of the IS terrorists.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! For just over a year now, a re-engagement regarding the Kurdish issue in Turkey has been ongoing under the slogan A terror-free Turkey. The new process has so far resulted in some progress. PKK has stated that they will comply with the call from the founder and lay down their weapons, dissolve, and withdraw from Turkey. They have also shown concrete actions in accordance with this. Sweden condemns all forms of terrorism and naturally views positively that PKK has declared that they will now dissolve.
Sweden is also a driving force in promoting democracy and human rights internationally, including the full enjoyment of human rights for persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities. These issues will continue to be a cornerstone of our policy.
During the autumn, as mentioned, a commission has been appointed in Turkey to address the Kurdish issue, and representatives of the commission and also other Turkish parliamentarians have met the PKK leader in prison. I welcome this process, which is obviously first and foremost an internal political matter to handle a difficult and complex challenge that Turkey faces.
Sweden and the EU are following the developments closely, among other things through dialogue with political representatives from a majority of parties, and it remains to be seen what the Commission's work will concretely result in.
We are following the situation in northeastern Syria with concern, where fighting has taken place between government forces and the Kurdish group SDF in recent weeks.
It is welcome that the Syrian transitional government and the self-administration in northeastern Syria reached an agreement both on January 18 and January 20, and we naturally urge the parties to comply with the agreement.
Sweden and the EU continue to emphasize in talks with the Syrian transitional government the importance of an inclusive Syria that is safe for all, including persons belonging to religious or ethnic groups and minorities – so also Kurds.
It is, however, too early to say anything about what consequences this development may have for the peace process.
Håkan Svenneling (V)
Madam Speaker! In my interpellation, I asked four questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the development of democracy in Turkey. In addition to these, we have in today's debate touched upon the development in Syria and Turkey's role in this development.
My experience is that Sweden was previously a strong voice for democracy and human rights in Turkey and Syria. But in connection with the Swedish Nato application, everything changed. Previous talking points were thrown in the trash, first by the Social Democrat Ann Linde and then by the Moderate Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.
Now Maria Malmer Stenergard is Foreign Minister, and therefore she has a good opportunity to stand up for democracy and human rights in both Turkey and Syria as well as globally.
I note that the Minister for Foreign Affairs today is wearing a pin with the Swedish and the Danish flag, which I think is a fine manifestation of her standing up for international law. We need to do that across the board.
I hope that the Foreign Minister intends to take the opportunity to stand up for international law and that she supports the process in Turkey and puts pressure on Erdoğan and his regime so that they work for peace in earnest this time. Now there is that opportunity, but if one only sees it as a Turkish domestic political issue, there is a risk that the process will fail due to various interests. I believe it is the same thing with Syria – if we do not engage without self-interest, the risk is great that it will again become a failing state or that the country will undergo a strongly authoritarian development.
We must put the interests of the people who live and reside in these countries first, so that they can have a good life. Then children can go to school, and people can have a job and do not need to worry about wars and conflicts breaking out. I hope that Sweden can be a strong voice for this, and I expect the Foreign Minister to be a leader in this work.
Utrikesministern Maria Malmer Stenergard (M)
Madam Speaker! I and the government truly stand up for international law, even now when there is controversy surrounding it. It may never have been more important to do so. If one asks Håkan Svenneling, he might say that the government is not doing it, but if one asks any country around the world, I am convinced that the answer will be that Sweden is a very clear voice for precisely international law. That may be the most important thing.
We are also very engaged in Syria, and just as Håkan Svenneling said, it is about the people there. I have personally met many representatives, not least for various women's organizations, to discuss whether we are heading towards the inclusive transition that we truly want to see. There is a unique opportunity now in Syria, but it is still a very difficult situation that we need to follow and, of course, also support so that it goes in the right direction.
To return to Turkey, Sweden is one of the few bilateral donors that continues to provide support to Turkish civil society organizations working to strengthen respect for human rights, democracy, and the principles of the rule of law. We are also very active in the area of gender equality there, where we have high competence and a good reputation.
Our partnership as allies now also gives us expanded opportunities to communicate our positions directly to Turkey's representatives, in parallel with our important aid cooperation. It is well known that Håkan Svenneling and I have different views on NATO membership, but I am convinced that it increases our security and also strengthens our dialogue with other allies.
We will continue to work for a peaceful development in Turkey and for the rights of ethnic and religious minorities to be respected.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.