Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, on Tuesday criticised the government’s appointment of trustees in Kurdish-majority municipalities and called for an end to the isolation of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, accusing officials of undermining democracy and suppressing opposition.
Addressing his party’s weekly group meeting in Ankara, Bakırhan alleged that the trustee system—where government appointees replace elected mayors—constitutes a “violation of public will” and aims to centralise power. He pointed to recent appointments in Tunceli (Dêrsim), a province with a strong Kurdish and Alevi identity, as evidence of what he described as systematic efforts to marginalise local communities. Bakırhan claimed the government’s actions prioritise control over governance. “They are using this mechanism to seize resources and silence dissent, not to serve the people,” he said.
Bakırhan criticised the broader policies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) – Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) alliance, condemning trusteeships a “modern coup” that operates without military intervention. “This is a coup process that doesn’t need tanks or rifles. It uses judges and administrative orders instead,” he said, describing trustee appointments as a “state-orchestrated attack on democracy”.
Referring to the recent police raids that detained opposition politicians and journalists, Bakırhan called for their immediate release, saying the arrests were part of a larger effort to intimidate dissenting voices. He also condemned restrictions on the use of the Kurdish slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom), which authorities reportedly banned ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. “This slogan has inspired women globally. Trying to ban it will not erase its significance,” Bakırhan said.
The DEM Party leader also raised the issue of Öcalan, who is held under strict isolation on İmralı Island. Bakırhan urged authorities to allow visits to Öcalan, arguing that the Kurdish leader’s perspective is essential for resolving tensions. He announced that he and DEM Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları would formally apply to the Justice Ministry to seek a meeting with Öcalan. “If you claim he is not being listened to, lift his isolation and let him speak. Only then can we know the truth,” he said.
Bakırhan further criticised the government’s portrayal of Kurdish demands as terrorism, questioning whether advocating for education in Kurdish or supporting elected officials qualifies as extremist activity. “What kind of democracy criminalises the protection of local governance and cultural rights?” he asked.
In a broader critique of Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish question, Bakırhan argued that the government’s failure to engage with Kurdish communities weakens its domestic and regional standing. “No change in this region can succeed without considering the Kurds. This has been true throughout history,” he said, urging Ankara to adopt policies that prioritise inclusion and democracy.
The speech comes amid increasing political tensions in Turkey, with opposition parties accusing the government of using trusteeships and arrests to suppress dissent ahead of potential elections. Bakırhan called on the public to resist what he described as “systematic attacks” on democratic rights, declaring that his party would continue to oppose the trustee system and push for inclusive governance.
