As discussions on peace and democracy reemerged, co-mayors who were removed from office and replaced with government-appointed trustees condemned the trustee policy as a direct intervention against the will of the people. They called for the immediate withdrawal of the trustees and an end to these unlawful practices. The co-mayors emphasized the need to protect democratic values and asserted that local administrations must be governed by elected representatives.

Gülistan Sönük, co-mayor of the Batman (Elîh) Municipality, and Abdullah Zeydan, co-mayor of the Van (Wan) Metropolitan Municipality, spoke to ANF about the ongoing situation.

Concrete steps must be taken

Gülistan Sönük, co-mayor of Batman Municipality, emphasized that seriously ill prisoners must be released, and the trustee policy must come to an end during this phase of political dialogue. She noted that the “Call for a Democratic Society and Peace” issued on 27 February had found strong resonance within society and that the people had embraced the message. Although she described the ongoing talks with both the ruling and opposition parties as promising, Sönük underlined that concrete steps are necessary for the process to move forward with sincerity.

According to Sönük, a political process is currently unfolding, and one of its key counterparts is the ruling party. She said, “The continued detention of ill prisoners, the postponement of sentences, and the prevention of releases clearly show that unlawful practices persist. If there is a genuine will for peace, the first step must be the release of seriously ill prisoners and those whose sentences have been delayed.”

Trustees must be withdrawn

Sönük said that for people to truly trust the peace process, the government must take concrete steps in this regard. She continued: “A sincere and dignified peace can only be achieved this way. The construction of a democratic society and peace cannot coexist with the usurpation of the people’s will. The appointed trustees must be immediately withdrawn, and this policy must be abandoned.”

Sönük said: “As elected representatives, we declare at every opportunity that we stand with the will of the people.” She emphasized that the municipalities, which were won through the people’s hard work and determination, must be returned to them.

Sönük added: “In this process, it is democracy and peace that must be discussed, not trustees.” She said that their struggle against unlawful practices will continue.

Everyone must embrace this process

Abdullah Zeydan, co-mayor of the Van Metropolitan Municipality, stated that the call for peace has been embraced by the people. He emphasized the need to end the policy of appointing trustees and to release seriously ill prisoners.

Zeydan added that the “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” issued on 27 February resonated strongly among the public. He noted that the way people embraced the call during the 8 March events and in the Newroz squares reflected their faith in the process. Stressing that the process must be taken seriously, Zeydan also called on the government to take meaningful steps.

Zeydan said: “This peace will bring freedom to all peoples.” He underlined that for peace to be built, the right to hope must be upheld and seriously ill prisoners must be released without delay. He stated that the foundations of the peace process must be laid with a democratic, libertarian, and pluralistic constitution. He said, “We are talking about a historic process and everyone must embrace this call and approach it with sincerity.”

The usurpation must end

Zeydan strongly criticized the appointment of trustees and stated: “Trustees mean theft and plunder. They erase the language, identity, and memory of the cities. These anti-democratic practices must be ended immediately. In Van, we achieved the equivalent of ten years of work in just ten months. Together with the people, we continue our work in the field against this usurpation. We will continue to stand alongside our people and pick up where we left off on the field.”

Zeydan concluded by stating that the government must abandon its trustee policy and turn toward the will of the people and democratic values.