The “Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration” passed easily, with 467 votes in favour. Party leader Ozgur Ozel allowed his MPs a free vote, and 54 of its 91 MPs voted against the law. The initiative led to the establishment of a parliamentary commission and regular visits to Ocalan by a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. The new framework law is regarded as the closest Turkey has come to establishing a comprehensive legal basis for ending the decades-long conflict. More than 40,000 people have been killed since fighting between the PKK and Turkish security forces began after Ocalan founded the group in 1984.