The ‘Turkey-Germany Sister Cities Summit’, hosted by the Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB) in İstanbul, officially opened today, 8 April, with a message from the dismissed Mayor of İstanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who remains in prison. Henriette Reker, the Mayor of Cologne, has attended the summit to express Cologne’s solidarity with İmamoğlu, who is detained on charges including corruption and alleged links to terrorist organisations, widely deemed politically motivated charges.
İmamoğlu sent a message, which was read out by the mayor of Büyükçekmece, Hasan Akgün. “I am deeply honoured to take part in this important summit, despite being unjustly imprisoned on unfounded political charges. I send my warmest greetings from my cell in Silivri,” said İmamoğlu. Emphasising the importance of democracy, he said, “The future of the world depends on whether nations stand for democracy or against it. The battle will be between the people and the oligarchs, between democracy and one-man regimes.”
In her speech, Cologne Mayor Reker emphasised her solidarity with İmamoğlu, saying: “I am deeply saddened by the absence of Ekrem İmamoğlu. As a lawyer and a democrat, I understand the importance of the rule of law in local government. We must uphold democracy, which starts with free elections. İmamoğlu’s arrest shows the pressure on democratic values and it’s a reminder of the need to defend these values, especially in the light of Turkey’s European Union aspirations.”
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner also expressed his support, via a video message: “The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu shows how democratic principles are under pressure. Berlin stands by him and those fighting for democracy in Istanbul.”
Meanwhile, Hanover Mayor Belit Onay added, “We are saddened by Ekrem İmamoğlu’s absence. Local government depends on respecting the vote of the people. A country that ignores democracy will lose public support.”
Reker’s visit comes at a time of heightened international concern over autocratic rule in Turkey following İmamoğlu’s 19 March arrest. She previously has joined other Cologne officials in condemning the move against President Erdoğan’s main rival, sending a letter to the Turkish Consul General urging Turkish authorities to respect İmamoğlu’s democratic rights and ensure a fair trial. “Cologne stands for democracy, the rule of law and freedom of expression,” Reker said in the letter.
Reker’s participation in the summit reinforces Cologne’s solidarity with İmamoğlu and highlights the importance of international cooperation in defending democracy and human rights.
The visit also comes after a statement issued by Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, which has voiced concerns about the direction Turkey is taking under Erdoğan’s leadership. In this statement, it was noted that the arrest of İmamoğlu was part of Erdoğan’s ongoing effort to eliminate his strongest political opponent. The statement also pointed out the widespread protests across Turkey, despite restrictions on demonstrations and gatherings, with people demanding justice, rights, and the release of political prisoners.
