Elected co-mayors were discharged and government trustees were appointed in their places in the Kurdish districts of Eğil (Gêl), Lice (Licê), Ergani (Erxenî) and Silvan (Farqîn) on the 23 March in 2020.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Local Authorities Council met and released a statement on Wednesday, on the second anniversary of the administration’s civilian coup on local governments.
The statement announced that the elected officials will not recognise any of the decisions taken by government appointed trustees.
Discharged co-mayor of Lice (Licê), Tarık Mercan, stated that their replacement with the trustees meant a total disregard for the political will of the Kurdish people.
Mercan defined the ruling coalition of the Development and Justice Party (AKP) and nationalist Movement Party (MHP) as ‘the organised evil and unlawfulnesses,’ adding that the districts under the rule of government appointed trustees had turned into ‘police stations.’
Discharged co-mayor of Ergani (Erxenî), Ahmet Kaya, noted that he was still not being allowed to resume his duties as co-mayor despite a court decision.
He said:
“We have still not been reinstated despite a court ruling due to an instruction coming from the top level of the authorities. It’s not possible for the mayors to return to their posts without a major change in power. We do not, and will never recognise the decisions taken by [government] appointed trustees.”
