The process that began with the appointment of a trustee for Istanbul Esenyurt Municipality on 31 October 2024 and continued with the appointment of trustees for Mardin Municipality, Batman Municipality and Şanlıurfa Halfeti Municipality on 4 November 2024 are practises that disregard the will of the people. These decisions, for which there is no legal basis, were made by the executive branch without judicial decisions and are contrary to democratic processes. Elected officials who came into office through the votes of the people should only be removed through elections and by the will of the people; therefore, such practises must be abandoned immediately.
As the Federation of Unimpeded Components, we follow with concern the recent removal of democratically elected local government officials through trustee appointments and its negative impact on social peace and the future of our country. The dismissal of elected officials without a court judgement undermines public confidence in democracy and the legal system. If there are legal obstacles regarding these individuals, these issues should be resolved before the elections. The will of voters exercising their right to vote should not be disregarded and the removal of elected officials should only be done through lawful, transparent and predictable procedures.
Another important issue is the alleged ill-treatment and torture of citizens exercising their peaceful and democratic right to protest in areas where trustees have been appointed. According to information from the media, people with disabilities and cancer patients are among those tortured. These practises clearly violate the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which Turkey is a party. In particular, Article 11 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires States Parties to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of persons with disabilities in dangerous situations. Such treatment of persons with disabilities and persons with health problems is unacceptable in terms of legal and human values. The perpetrators of these acts must be urgently investigated and brought to justice.
As the Federation of Unimpeded Components, we believe that the protection of election results and local administrations based on the will of the people is essential to ensure peace and harmony in society. Political and social stability cannot be achieved without the functioning of democratic methods and the guarantee of legal certainty. History has repeatedly shown us that such interventions do not solve social problems. Only measures against elected officials through court judgements will strengthen trust in society and lay the foundations for a stable future. The functioning of democratic processes is an absolute necessity for peace in our country.
In this context, we call on Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkiye (HREIT) to proactively investigate these allegations of torture, endeavour to investigate violations on the ground and take a stand based on human rights principles.
Finally, we call on the government to abandon this undemocratic intervention that contributes nothing to peace, end this coup-like practise and reinstate all elected mayors.