Statement by Kongra Star: Removal of mayors is an attack on the co-presidential system

Kongra Star has released a written statement on the appointment of trustees to the municipalities of Êlih, Xelfetî and Mêrdîn, underlining that the removal of mayors is an attack on the co-presidential system.

News Center- On October 4, 2024, Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs removed the Co-mayors of Mardin, Êlih (Batman) and Xelfetî (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), from office and appointed trustees in their place.

“This is an attack on the co-presidential system and the will of women,” Kongra Star said Tuesday in a written statement. “As Kongra Star, we condemn these practices and policies.”

 ‘The AKP regime is hostile to Kurds and women’

We will always resist, fight and win by chanting the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” slogan, the statement said. “The AKP-MHP regime is hostile to Kurds and women. Again, they start occupying, usurping the gains of the Kurdish people by preparing their laws and regulations. As Kongra Star, we believe that our people will defend their dignity, freedom and will.”

‘The will of people will prevail’

Mentioning the removal of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer from office, the statement said, “Ahmet Özer was arrested because he is a Kurd elected by consensus. There must be a resistance against these inhumane and unlawful attacks and no position rather than struggle must be accepted.”

The statement also mentioned the recent discussions on a new peace process. “The Turkish state and the fascist Erdoğan government started these discussions to maintain its power and get out of the economic crisis. Despite all its plans and political genocide, the will of people will prevail again.”

‘We must unite’

The construction of the peace and democracy process can only be possible by solving the Kurdish question, Kongra Star said. “A possible peace process will become stronger with the struggle of all democratic peoples. They (AKP-MHP government) aim to destroy the gains of the Rojava revolution by imposing an aggravated isolation on our leader. We must unite our democratic power, rise up and fight. We must put an end to the AKP-MHP government. The resistance against the aggravated isolation, occupation and trustee system must be strengthened. People must struggle to protect their will.”