Dozens of members of the Kurdish PKK separatist movement have surrendered to the Turkish government in exchange for amnesty. Turkey expects more PKK members will soon follow.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been fighting Turkish forces since 1982, in a bid to win a separate Kurdish state. The fighting has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people. However, in recent years, the PKK's goal has been modified to winning social and cultural rights for ethnic Kurds living in Turkey.

Since July, the Kurds have been granted more economic and cultural rights. Since Monday, Kurds who had fled to hideouts in northern Iraq have been granted amnesty if they return, on the condition that they have not used violence. The first group's surrender was orchestrated by the PKK's jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan.

Peace with the Kurds is one of the conditions demanded by the European Union of Turkey if it hopes to become an EU member.

Many Kurds see the latest moves as an important step in peace process and thousands of them have taken to the streets in Turkey to celebrate.

Flag of the PKK from Wikimedia Commons