MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Dersim-On October 4, 2024, Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs dismissed the elected co-mayors of Mardin, Êlih (Batman) and Xelfetî (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and appointed trustees in their place. On November 22, 2024, the Turkish ministry dismissed the elected co-mayors of Dersim and Ovacık and appointed trustees in their place. On November 30, dismissed Dersim Co-mayor Birsen Orhan was arrested and transferred to prison. “Dismissal of our co-mayors is the usurpation of our will,” said women of Dersim.

‘We do not recognize this unlawful decision’

“As a citizen, I casted my vote and elected co-mayors,” said Nazlı Çelik Öz, a resident of Dersim. “As a resident of Dersim, I do not recognize this unlawful decision. We stand by our co-mayors, representing the will of the people of Dersim. The people of Dersim elected them as Co-mayors of Dersim.” Nazlı Çelik Öz called on the people of Dersim to defend their will. “Dersim is a place where a genocide and the resistance of Seyit Rıza took place in the 38th. We do not recognize the appointment of a trustee to our municipality because Dersim belongs to us and it will belong to us. We will keep resisting this unlawful decision.”

‘The people took their municipality back despite oppression’

In 2016, the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs dismissed the elected co-mayors of Dersim. “The co-mayors served the people of Dersim despite the impossibilities. Unfortunately, we face the same mindset,” said Nurşak Yeşil. “As the people of Dersim, we do not recognize this decision and the usurpation of our will. The people of Dersim are no longer afraid of such policies. They took their municipality back despite oppression and they will keep defending their will. The people of Dersim must resist. If we do not resist, we will face such policies again.”

‘The dismissal of the elected co-mayors is a genocide’

“They (Turkish authorities) usurped our will and stole our municipality,” said Şenay Kulbak. “We elected our co-mayors but they dismissed our elected co-mayors. We will, of course, stand against this decision. We will resist until we take back our municipality. We will not allow the appointed trustees to destroy our nature. Since they will have authority to sign, nowhere will be safe for us anymore. The dismissal of the elected co-mayors is a genocide. They want to intimidate us by dismissing our co-mayors. But such policies cannot intimidate us. We will resist at all costs.”

‘People must resist’

Gülseren Güler also described the dismissal of co-mayors as an “unlawful” decision. “The people of Dersim must resist and defend their will. We demand our right to elect and be elected. As a citizen, I am not allowed to enter the municipality because our rights have been taken away.”

‘We do not want an appointed trustee’

“As the people of Dersim, we will resist and send the appointed trustee back,” said Leyla Coşkun. “Dersim belongs to us and we do not recognize the appointed trustee. The people of Dersim elected their co-mayors. The people of Dersim are strong and resist. We must keep resisting.”