Media Monitoring Report: Kurdish Media Coverage of Trustee Appointments in Turkey

Date: November 4, 2024

Overview

Multiple Kurdish media outlets reported on the Turkish government's appointment of trustees to three municipalities: Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, Batman Municipality, and Halfeti Municipality. The coverage emphasized themes of "usurpation of people's will" and "anti-democratic practices."

Coverage by Media Outlets

Mezopotamya Agency

The agency framed the appointments as an attack on democratic will, highlighting social media reactions from various organizations and politicians. Key quotes included:

• ÖHD (Lawyers for Freedom): "The people's will has been usurped through trustee appointments. We will follow every stage of these unlawful, unjust, and usurping practices."
• TJA (Free Women's Movement): "This is oppression and violence delivered through a coup against co-mayors elected by women's strong will."
• DEM Youth Center: "The state mentality that appoints trustees to Kurdistan's cities will face resistance from Kurdish people and their allies."

Artı Gerçek

The outlet provided extensive coverage of CHP leader Özgür Özel's visit to Mardin and his significant statements:

• Emphasized Ahmet Türk's 50-year political career: "For 50 years, whenever ballot boxes are placed before them, Mardin residents and Kurds elect Ahmet Türk. You cannot be stubborn against this will."
• Criticized unequal treatment: "If people elect your candidate, they can serve, but if they elect someone else, you appoint trustees. Is this equal citizenship?"
• Called for democratic resolution: "Until every Kurd feels as equal as residents of Manisa, Osmaniye, and Rize, we will continue our struggle for democracy."
• Announced institutional response: Turkish Municipalities Union will meet and seek appointments with all political party leaders except Erdoğan.

Xwebun

The Kurdish-language outlet focused on protest actions, reporting that:

• Thousands gathered in front of AZC Plaza Office in Amed (Diyarbakır)
• Protesters marched behind a banner reading "No one can seize the people's will, we won't allow trustees"
• DEM Party Amed Organization Co-chair Abbas Şahin stated: "Those who insist on non-resolution first talk about solving the Kurdish issue, then behind the curtain make plans against Kurdish people's achievements."

Diyarname

The Kurdish-language publication compiled reactions from various political figures:

• DEM Party Co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan: Referenced MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's previous statements and criticized the "plan to appoint trustees"
• Co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari: "Even if you send a hundred thousand trustees, the people's will shall prevail"
• Mardin Metropolitan Co-mayor Ahmet Türk: Called for raising voices against "this unlawful and anti-democratic approach"

İlke TV

The outlet provided historical context, reporting that:

• Trustee appointments gained momentum after the July 15, 2016 coup attempt
• Since 2016, trustees have been appointed 160 times to municipalities
• The practice was implemented through Decree Law No. 674 during the State of Emergency

Common Themes in Coverage

1. Democratic Rights: All outlets emphasized the violation of democratic rights and electoral will
2. Historical Context: Media connected current appointments to previous practices since 2016
3. Resistance: Coverage highlighted organized protests and calls for continued resistance
4. Kurdish Political Rights: Reports framed the issue within the broader context of Kurdish political representation
5. Opposition Unity: Notable coverage of mainstream opposition support through CHP leader's visit and statements

Notable Observations

• Kurdish-language media outlets (Xwebun, Diyarname) provided more detailed coverage of local protests and community reactions
• All outlets emphasized the connection between women's rights and local governance through coverage of women's organizations' statements
• Media outlets highlighted cross-party solidarity, particularly emphasizing CHP leader Özgür Özel's strong statements against the trustee appointments
• The visit of CHP leader to Mardin was portrayed as a significant show of opposition unity against the trustee practice

Sources: Mezopotamya Agency, Artı Gerçek, Xwebun, Diyarname, İlke TV