The İstanbul Bar Association has condemned the appointment of government trustees to replace elected mayors in Dersim and Ovacık municipalities, declaring the practice a clear violation of Turkey’s constitution.
“The removal of Tunceli Mayor Cevdet Konak and Ovacık Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül by yesterday’s decree demonstrates the persistent violation of the right to elect and be elected,” the Bar Association said in a statement on Saturday, issued on its official website.
The Bar Association emphasised that the trustee practice fundamentally undermines democratic principles: “This unlawful implementation contradicts both the constitution and the requirements of a democratic society, damaging the essence of electoral rights.”
Citing specific constitutional provisions, the statement highlighted breaches of Article 2 on democratic state principles and Article 127 on local governance guarantees. “No person or organ can exercise state authority without deriving it from the Constitution,” the Bar quoted from Article 6.
The legal body called for immediate action on two fronts: the reinstatement of removed mayors and guarantee of fair trial rights for those under investigation. “The trustee practice can never be normalised or legitimised,” the statement warned.
The Bar Association concluded with a direct challenge to state institutions: “We call on legislative, executive and judicial organs, and administrative authorities to respect the Constitution and end this constitutional crime.”
