Birleşik Kamu-İş Calls for Upholding Democracy and the Presumption of Innocence
Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation condemned the detention of Adana, Antalya, and Adıyaman Metropolitan Mayors, asserting that the act disregards the presumption of innocence and public will, while calling for the upholding of democracy
Ankara – The Confederation of United Public Employees (Birleşik Kamu-İş Konfederasyonu) has strongly condemned the news of the detention of Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, and Adıyaman Municipality Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere in the early morning hours. In a written statement issued on Saturday, July 5, 2025, the Confederation stated that these practices are "unfortunately being attempted to be turned into a routine in Turkey," emphasizing their commitment to the rule of law, democracy, and public will.
"Presumption of Innocence is a Fundamental Principle of Law!"
In the statement from the Birleşik Kamu-İş Konfederasyonu Central Executive Board, it was underlined that the presumption of innocence is one of the most fundamental principles of law, and that a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven through legal proceedings. The statement declared: "Detaining mayors from their homes in the early morning instead of summoning them for testimony, while no judicial process has yet begun and no conviction decision is on the table, is a disregard for the will of the people, democratic values, and principles of justice."
Emphasis on Interference with Public Will
The Confederation highlighted that local governments are institutions determined directly by the will of the people. It emphasized that such practices targeting mayors elected by popular vote are not only an intervention against individuals but also against the choices of millions of voters and against direct democracy itself.
Birleşik Kamu-İş Konfederasyonu announced to the public that they will not get used to such anti-democratic practices and will stand against all of them. The Confederation concluded its statement by saying: "As the Confederation of United Public Employees, we will maintain our stance in favor of the rule of law, democracy, and the will of the people. We respectfully announce to the public that we are against all kinds of anti-democratic practices."
This statement stands as a strong reaction from unions against the increasing operations and detentions targeting local administrations in the recent period.
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