In response to the appointment of a trustee to the Municipality of Esenyurt, 37 bar associations released a statement, saying that the rule of law is being disregarded and that this act constitutes a blow to democracy.
Following the arrest of the Mayor of Esenyurt, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer, and the subsequent appointment of a trustee to the municipality, 37 bar associations issued a statement titled 'Trustees are a blow to democracy.'
In a written statement, the 37 bar associations said: "Although Mayor Özer could have gone to testify upon invitation due to his official position, he was taken into custody, and a detention order was issued despite no evidence showing the risk of fleeing. These measures are disproportionate and legally inappropriate. The investigative procedures violate the Constitution and Turkey’s international commitments in various ways. The search, detention, and arrest processes infringe upon Articles 2, 19, 20, 127, and 138 of the Constitution."
The statement continued: "Appointing a trustee, undermining the will of the people, which emerges from the exercise of the right to vote - a core element of democracy - constitutes a significant violation of democratic values. The trustee practice is fundamentally contrary to the principles of a democratic rule of law and local democracy. Even though trustee appointments are technically legal, this legality does not erase their unconstitutionality or lack of legal and social legitimacy.
We believe the detention measure applied to Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer is disproportionate. We call for the decision to appoint a trustee to be rescinded and for the legal process to be conducted with respect for fair trial rights and the right to reputation."
The bar associations that signed the statement are as follows:
"Afyonkarahisar Bar Association, Antalya Bar Association, Ardahan Bar Association, Çanakkale Bar Association, Dîlok Bar Association, Colemêrg Bar Association, Hatay Bar Association, Îdir Bar Association, Muğla Bar Association, Mûş Bar Association, Sêrt Bar Association, Riha Bar Association, Şirnex Bar Association, Istanbul Bar Association, Adana Bar Association, Semsûr Bar Association, Amed Bar Association, Mêrdîn Bar Association, Mersin Bar Association, Agirî Bar Association, Balıkesir Bar Association, Êlih Bar Association, İzmir Bar Association, Qers Bar Association, Burdur Bar Association, Kırklareli Bar Association, Bursa Bar Association, Kocaeli Bar Association, Denizli Bar Association, Manisa Bar Association, Çewlêg Bar Association, Bedlis Bar Association, Mereş Bar Association, Tekirdağ Bar Association, Uşak Bar Association, Wan Bar Association, Zonguldak Bar Association."
