At a session of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Councillor, Kader Uzun Madenkuyu, called on the Congress and EU bodies to take concrete steps against the appointment of trustees.

The first sessions of 2025 of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (CoE–CLRA) have concluded. On the final day, Kader Uzun Madenkuyu, Councillor of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality and substitute member of the Council of Europe Chamber of Regions, delivered a speech addressing women’s policies, the appointment of trustees, and local and regional democracy. Drawing attention to calls for a democratic and lasting solution to the Kurdish question, Madenkuyu stressed that these calls should evolve into a concrete peace process.

Emphasis on Equal Participation and Representation

Highlighting the obstacles faced by women at every stage of policy-making, Madenkuyu underlined that these barriers can be overcome through mechanisms such as the co-mayoral system and equal representation, which eliminate gender inequality. She emphasised that, in this way, women’s achievements in politics and society can be strengthened, ensuring the highest level of equal participation and representation for different cultures, beliefs and gender identities.

‘Transformation Can Be Achieved Through Gender Equality’

Drawing attention to the need to empower women in public and political life against all forms of violence directed at women in politics, Madenkuyu stated that social transformation can be achieved by ensuring gender equality. She said:

“We emphasise that the 21st century will be the century of women, and that the ultimate victory of democratic society will come with the removal of barriers facing women.”

Opposition to Trustee Appointments

Continuing her speech, Madenkuyu addressed the appointment of trustees, noting that since 2016, elected representatives in predominantly Kurdish cities have been dismissed from office and replaced by government-appointed trustees. She pointed out that local administrators have been sentenced to prison on fabricated charges, recalling that by means of State of Emergency decrees, 95 mayors elected in 2014 and 48 mayors elected in 2019 were replaced with trustees.

Madenkuyu added: “In 2024, trustees were also appointed to 10 of our municipalities, including Van Metropolitan Municipality CoE Congress member Mayor Abdullah Zeydan, as well as to four CHP municipalities. The Mayor of Istanbul was also dismissed and arrested.”

‘Trustee Appointments Have Become Systematic and Arbitrary’

Stressing that the trustee policy is a blow to democracy, the will of the electorate, the co-mayoral system and cultural heritage, Madenkuyu emphasised that due to the lack of a serious stance from both the Council of Europe—of which Turkey is a founding member—and the political opposition in Turkey, trustee appointments have become systematic and arbitrary.

‘Concrete Steps Must Be Taken’

Calling on the Congress and the organs of the Council of Europe to assume responsibility in line with their founding principles, Madenkuyu urged for serious and deterrent measures to be taken and for concrete steps to be implemented regarding these practices.