Protests in Mardin (Mêrdîn) against the government’s appointment of a trustee to the Metropolitan Municipality entered their eighth day as citizens, the co-mayors, and the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party representatives rallied near the municipal building, demanding local governance rights and defying police barriers. Demonstrators, led by Co-Mayors Devrim Demir and Ahmet Türk, marched while chanting, “We are here to resist,” and “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom), only to be met with a fortified police presence that blocked their access to the municipality.
“We stand here because our responsibility is to the people,” declared Demir, as police continued to obstruct the gathering. “Whether inside or outside, we will hold our council meeting to affirm our dedication.” DEM Party MP Beritan Güneş criticised the police response, questioning its legality: “What right do you have to prevent us? Today’s meeting was approved days ago, and no lawful reason has been given for this interference. This action defies democratic principles.”
Undeterred, protesters held a sit-in outside the municipal building to symbolise their commitment to resisting the imposition of government-appointed trustees, a system they say erodes Kurdish local representation. Co-mayor Türk described the blockades as a “blatant violation” of democratic rights, stating, “Preventing us from entering our municipal building is illegal, and we will not stand silent.”
Solidarity rallies erupted in other cities, including Diyarbakır (Amed) and Van (Wan), where citizens, officials, and DEM Party members gathered to show their support for local governance rights. In Diyarbakır, demonstrators held banners reading “Respect our vote,” calling for an end to the system of state-appointed trustees, which has widely replaced elected officials across Kurdish municipalities.
In Van, demonstrators highlighted the larger impact on Kurdish representation. “Our voices deserve to be heard in our own cities,” said a rally participant, emphasising the desire for self-governance. Similarly, in Kızıltepe (Qoser), protesters demanded an end to the government’s trustee policy, with banners reading, “Our cities, our choice.” Since the 2019 elections, several Kurdish municipalities have seen government-appointed trustees assume control, sparking local frustration and resistance. A protester declared, “The people’s choice must be honoured. We reject appointed trustees; we want our elected officials.”
Batman (Êlih) also saw local activists and representatives gather in front of the municipal office, echoing calls for local governance. “Our institutions should reflect the choices of those who live here, not outside appointments,” a speaker remarked. Protests in Batman have been recurrent since the trustee system began, symbolising a broader call for restored democracy.
In Dargeçit (Kerboran), sit-ins and speeches marked protests as citizens gathered with local co-chairs to assert the movement’s significance. “This is about Kurdish rights and local governance,” a local activist stated, adding that demonstrations would continue until their demands are met.
As Mardin, Kızıltepe, Batman, Dargeçit, and other cities continue to demonstrate, the protest movement gains momentum, demanding the restoration of democratic representation in Kurdish municipalities. “We will stand with our people,” Co-Mayor Demir concluded, “Until democracy is respected and our voices are acknowledged.”
