The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), an advisory body to the Council of Europe, is currently holding its 49th session from October 28 to 30. A delegation of local politicians from the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) also took part in the meeting in Strasbourg, where intensive diplomatic talks are being held.
The Congress works to strengthen local and regional democracy in Europe, develop principles of autonomy, and protect human rights. However, Turkey’s implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which it signed in 1993, with numerous reservations remains one of the main criticisms on the Congress’ agenda.
The DEM Party delegation, led by Abdullah Zeydan, the co-mayor of Van who was most recently removed from office in February 2025, also included Kader Uzun, Faik Yağızay, and scientist Dr. Sarah Glynn.
The delegation met with members of the socialist, green, and progressive factions of Congress, as well as with high-ranking representatives such as Congress President Marc Cools, Turkey rapporteur David Eray, and UK delegation leader Bryony Rudkin. The talks focused on Turkey’s democratic obligations, the practice of trustees, imprisoned elected representatives, and the resolution of the Kurdish question.
Call for recognition of local self-government
In his speech to the congress assembly, Zeydan emphasized that Turkey’s extremely centralized system is destroying democratic processes and the autonomy of local administrations. “The policy of trustees is not only an intervention in the will of the Kurdish people, but has also developed into a totalitarian state instrument that is now being used against the entire opposition,” he stated.
Zeydan appealed to European institutions to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and to lift Turkey’s reservations regarding the European Charter of Local Self-Government. The charter requires the application of fundamental rules that guarantee the political, administrative, and financial independence of municipalities.
“Abdullah Öcalan has taken important steps”
With regard to the current peace and democratization process in Turkey, Zeydan emphasized how important it is for the state to take steps in this area “to achieve lasting, just, and social peace.” Specifically, he mentioned in this context the “immediate end to the policy of trustee administration.”
The DEM politician also referred to the role of Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, saying: “The Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in solitary confinement for 26 years, has taken very important steps as the ‘main mediator’.”
On the role of local government in healthcare
In her statement to the Health Committee, TJA activist Kader Uzun focused on the responsibility of local administrations to create healthy living environments and stated that the powers of local authorities in this regard must be significantly expanded. “The central government in Turkey is so dominant that local authorities cannot even meet the most basic needs,” she explained.