Usurping the voters’ will: Turkish government removes Kurdish mayors in Mardin, Batman

That’s just sad. Probably some blackmailing moves to force the opposition to a constitutional change…

On November 4, 2024, the Turkish government took action to remove three elected pro-Kurdish mayors from office in southeastern Turkey, replacing them with state-appointed officials[1][2][3]. This move has significant political implications and has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between the Turkish government and Kurdish political representation.

Details of the Removals

The mayors removed from office were:

1. Ahmet Turk, mayor of Mardin (provincial capital)
2. Gulistan Sonuk, mayor of Batman (provincial capital)
3. Mehmet Karayilan, mayor of Halfeti district in Sanliurfa province[5][6]

These officials were members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), which is the third-largest party represented in the Turkish Parliament[7].

Reasons for Removal

The Turkish Interior Ministry stated that the mayors were ousted due to:

• Past convictions
• Ongoing trials
• Investigations for alleged links to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)[7]

The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union[7].

Context and Implications

This action by the Turkish government is seen as part of a broader pattern:

1. Recent precedent: It follows the arrest and removal of a mayor from the country’s main opposition party, accused of links to the PKK[7].

2. Political tensions: The move is viewed as a hardening of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government’s policies toward the opposition[7].

3. Peace efforts: It raises questions about the prospects of a tentative new peace effort to end the 40-year conflict between the PKK and the state[7].

4. Democratic concerns: Opposition leaders have criticized the removals, with Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition CHP party, calling it “a coup” and accusing Erdogan of seizing municipalities he couldn’t win in elections[7].

5. Historical pattern: Since 2016, numerous pro-Kurdish politicians have been targeted, with lawmakers stripped of parliamentary seats and thousands of party members jailed on terror-related charges[7].

Reaction

Ahmet Turk, the ousted mayor of Mardin, expressed defiance on social media, stating, “We will not step back from our struggle for democracy, peace and freedom. We will not allow the usurpation of the people’s will.”[7]

This event highlights the ongoing challenges in Turkish politics, particularly concerning Kurdish representation and the balance between security concerns and democratic processes.

Citations:
1. Bianet – Turkish Government Removes Kurdish Mayors in Mardin and Batman
2. France24 – Turkey Sacks Three Southeastern Mayors from Pro-Kurdish Party
3. Khaleej Times – Turkey Sacks 3 Mayors in Kurdish Majority Southeast Over Terrorism Charges
4. Bianet – Turkey Removes Kurdish Mayors in Mardin and Batman
5. Rudaw – Turkey Replaces Kurdish Mayors in Mardin and Batman
6. VOA News – Turkey Replaces Pro-Kurdish Mayors with State Officials in Southeast
7. ABC News – Turkey Ousts 3 Elected Pro-Kurdish Mayors
8. Washington Post – Turkey Ousts Pro-Kurdish Mayors
9. Barrons – Turkey Sacks 3 Mayors in Kurdish Majority Southeast
10. Duvar English – Turkish Government Appoints Trustees to Oust 3 Kurdish Mayors