The trusteeship practice against the municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and Republican People's Party (CHP) continues.

 

Following the municipalities of Colemêrg (Hakkari), Esenyurt, Mêrdîn (Mardin), Xelfetî (Halfeti) and Êlih (Batman), trustees were appointed to the municipalities of Dêrsim (Tunceli) and Pulur (Ovacık) on 22 November by the Ministry of Interior.

 

Tülay Korkutan from Kırkyama Women's Solidarity and Dilara Kalpak from Socialist Women's Assemblies (SKM) evaluated the appointment of trustees to municipalities.

 

'BLOW TO WILL OF THE PEOPLE'

 

 

AKP-MHP aims to maintain its power with trustees said Tülay Korkutan and added: "What it did not get through elections, it is trying to get through governors in the night. The trustees appointed to Dersim and Ovacık municipalities are a blow to the will of the people. We are facing a plundering, rent-seeking, extortionist government."

 

Tülay Korkutan emphasised that the trustees are also an attack on women's gains. "Municipality means co-mayor and equal representation. It means women's employment opportunities, kindergartens and shelters. This is not the first time we have encountered trustees, we have encountered them before. The first thing they did was to close women's associations and shelters affiliated to the municipality or to dismiss women employees. That is why we, the women, have the strongest voice against the trustees and we have to make it. We never accept the trustee policies," she said. 

 

'WE MUST INCREASE THE LINE OF STRUGGLE'

 

Emphasising that a strong line of struggle against the trustees should be established,  "People are now asking which municipality is next. But without waiting for the next one, we need to determine the line of struggle that will prevent and prevent all these. The people claim their will, their vote and their municipality. That is why they are still on the streets. All opposition, all democracy forces need to increase the struggle against this. We have no other choice," Tülay Korkutan said.

 

'LIQUIDATION OF THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE AIMED'

 

 

Dilara Kalpak emphasised that the trustees are an attack on the co-mayor system and women's achievements and said: "We look at the first actions of the trustees after their appointment; they block and close down the women's work affiliated to the municipality. This is also the usurpation of women's will."

 

Stating that the trustees are also a part of the special war, Dilara Kalpak said the following: "One of the areas that the government wants to liquidate with the trustee attacks is the women's liberation struggle. We are the target of these attacks both in Kurdistan and Turkey. While these attacks are directed against us, it is a duty to raise and raise a united struggle. We women are the first to be targeted. We have a great ongoing struggle to protect our gains. It is necessary to raise this struggle, to protect these gains and to add new ones to these gains. For this, the united struggle stands in the most important place."

 

MA / Yeşim Tükel