Imprisoned PKK leader calls for new laws that would advance peace with the Turkish government

The imprisoned leader of a militant Kurdish group in Turkey is urging the government in Ankara to adopt new legislation that would advance peace effort to end their decades-long conflict. The appeal by Abdullah Ocalan on Friday comes a year after he called on the PKK to disarm and dissolve. Weeks earlier, a Turkish parliamentary committee recommended reforms that would back the peace process — including measures to reintegrate PKK members who renounce violence. The PKK had earlier held a symbolic disarmament ceremony and began withdrawing fighters to Iraq, where they had long found sanctuary during the insurgency. Turkey's pro-Kurdish party has also called on the state to enact legal steps.