Kurdish politicians condemn government trustee appointment in Colemêrg municipality

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdish politicians have expressed strong opposition to the appointment of a government trustee for the Municipality of Colemêrg, also known as Hakkâri.

They argue that this decision disregards the will of the Kurdish nation, with members of the Colemêrg Municipal Council asserting that the rights of Kurds have been violated.

The appointment has sparked ongoing reactions, with the surroundings of the Colemêrg Municipality Building now barricaded.

Politicians argue that the trustee appointment is intended to prevent the Kurdish people's will from governing the municipality, highlighting a lack of understanding of Kurdish identity.

Keskin Bayındır, the co-chairman of the Democratic Regions Party (PHD), told Kurdistan24: "This is the third time since 2016 that they have appointed a government trustee, interfering with the will of the Kurdish people. This is cruelty; this is not acceptable. We do not accept it, and there are also positive reactions in the international community.”

With the trustee's appointment, the duties of the elected Colemêrg Municipal Council members have been suspended. Council members claim this move is illegal.

Colemêrg City Council President Nurettin Korkmaz stated, "According to Turkish law, if the co-president is removed, the municipal council elects a new president to replace him. But the law is different for the Kurds and different for the Turks."

Municipality Co-Mayor Mehmet Sıddık Akış, who received 14,528 votes on March 31. The residents of Colemêrg emphasized that the ongoing appointment of government trustees renders elections meaningless.