On 19 August, the Turkish state seized the municipalities of Amed, Mardin and Van by appointing trustees and removing the democratically elected HDP mayors.

The Turkish state attacked the people who took to the streets against the usurpation of the municipalities and detained hundreds of people.

Co-chair of the Human Rights Association of the Jazira region, Evîn Cuma, stated that they closely follow developments in Northern Kurdistan and added: “The co-mayors of the three municipalities were elected democratically and freely by the people. The people showed their will in the election."

‘International law has been violated’

Cuma said that the AKP government is unable to accept the people's will in the elections held in Northern Kurdistan and added: “The dismissal of elected mayors is contrary to all international laws in any democracy. In fact the dismissal of democratically elected co-chairs, violates both domestic and international law."

‘People's will was targeted’

Cuma said that the will of the people is targeted by the usurpation of the municipalities. “Women are being attacked and arrested because they do not accept the violation of their will and the persecution to the people”, said Cuma.

"The United Nations should be called in to monitor the process going on in Turkey to ensure democracry and international and domestic law are actually respected."