Turkey: Opposition leader calls for end to state trustee rule, urges new law

The co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party, Tülay Hatimoğulları, has issued a clear message demanding urgent action on four key political issues. She called for the passage of a “framework law”—a broad piece of legislation that sets general principles—to address long-standing problems. Hatimoğulları specifically demanded an end to the practice of appointing state trustees, known as “kayyım,” to replace elected municipal officials. She also called for the removal of obstacles facing democratic politics and for improved conditions for imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Her statement suggests these four demands can no longer be postponed. The call comes amid ongoing debate in Turkey over the balance between security measures and democratic rights.