At least 128 municipal properties allocated to other institutions during trustee period

According to a report by the Union of Municipalities of the Southeast Anatolia Region (GABB), during the second trustee period covering the years 2019–2024, at least 128 municipal immovable and movable properties were allocated to district governorships, 

Within the scope of the report, the immovable and movable assets of Amed Metropolitan Municipality; Peyas (Kayapınar), Rezan (Bağlar), Yenişehir, Karaz (Kocaköy), Hênê (Hani), Erxenî (Ergani); Wan/Rêya Armûşê (İpekyolu), Ebex (Çaldıran), Artemêt (Edremit), Bêgirî (Muradiye), Payîzava (Gürpınar); Mûş, Gimgim (Varto), Kop (Bulanık); Şirnex/Cizîr (Cizre); Colemêrg/Gever (Yüksekova); Mêrdîn/Şemrex (Mazıdağı), Dêrik; Agirî/Giyadîn (Diyadin), as well as those belonging to GABB, were examined.

Wan Metropolitan Municipality, Mêrdîn Metropolitan Municipality, Sêrt, Êlih, Dêrsim, Colemêrg, Xelfetî, Mixs (Bahçesaray), and Qaxizman (Kağızman) municipalities were excluded from the study because they are still under trustee administration.

According to the study, Amed was among the places where allocations were most intense. In Amed Metropolitan Municipality, 17 properties were transferred to other institutions, while 32 properties in Peyas Municipality and 10 properties in Yenişehir Municipality were allocated to other institutions.

Most of the lawsuits ended against the municipalities

After the local elections of March 31, 2024, DEM Party administrations that regained the municipalities annulled the allocation decisions in municipal councils and filed numerous lawsuits. However, according to the report, most of the 71 lawsuits filed for the cancellation of these allocations were concluded against the municipalities. Only two rulings were made in favor of the municipalities.

The report also stated that the number of finalized decisions in favor of municipalities remains very limited, while many cases are still pending at the appellate and local court stages.

Women and children’s institutions targeted

Among the allocated properties were women’s support houses, children’s life centers, cultural centers, libraries, social facilities, and condolence houses. The report emphasized that these allocations directly weakened the social, cultural, and community service capacity of the municipalities.

The report noted that the lawsuit filed against the allocation of the Local Governments Academy building belonging to GABB to the District Directorate of National Education resulted in a decision in favor of the municipality, and that the ruling was also upheld on appeal. Similarly, in some limited cases, the allocations were found to be unlawful.