A letter from Sinem Dedetaş to the people of Üsküdar: The detentions are planned and intentional

Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş, who remains in custody at Çorlu Prison, wrote an open letter to the people of Üsküdar and the public ahead of the critical deputy mayoral election to share her thoughts on recent developments. Dedetaş emphasized that the latest detentions at the municipality were specifically targeted at council members and that the process was not a coincidence.

In her letter, Dedetaş stated, "Three more detentions targeting our municipality. And all of them are council members! Moreover, two of these three colleagues are also members of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) council. We know that these detentions, which took place three days before the election that is being repeated due to an objection to the deputy mayoral election, are not a coincidence. They are part of a clear plan."

Stating that these actions taken before the election constitute an interference with the democratic will, Dedetaş pointed out that the national will emphasized on the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day is being ignored today. Dedetaş said, "We have seen once again how one-sided the respect for the national will, which we listened to in the speeches made that day, is today. If this nation chooses 'me', if it sides with 'me', then I respect its will. If it expresses an opposing will, then I create all kinds of obstacles. Is this really the approach that will lead us to prosperity and make us happy people? You are the ones to judge that."

OPERATIONS TARGETING FEMALE ADMINISTRATORS

In her letter, Dedetaş also touched upon being the first female mayor in Üsküdar, stating that this trust was very meaningful to her, and expressed, "For the first time in the history of the municipality, the people of Üsküdar said to a woman, 'You represent us,' 'You decide on our behalf.' What an honor, what a responsibility. In the face of this trust, I have always given one answer: 'I hope I will be worthy of your love and trust, may God not let me be embarrassed.'"

Stating that they have implemented the majority of their election promises, Dedetaş said, "If these interventions had not occurred, you would have made your decisions with your free will after 2.5 years by looking at what we did well or could not do. Because 'Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation.'"

Stating that they care about gender equality among senior executives, Dedetaş dedicated a separate paragraph to the three female deputy mayors who are imprisoned and suspended from their duties. Mentioning Filiz Deveci's work in urban transformation, Dedetaş said, "Her reward? She has been imprisoned for 4 months." Referring to Cansu Yılmaz's efforts in union processes, she stated that she had to leave her post due to personal difficulties she experienced.

Dedetaş also expressed that Amine Cansu Çelik played an active role in providing services such as the free HPV vaccine, Mother-Baby Taxi, and the Psychological Counseling Center, but that she cannot vote in the upcoming Deputy Mayoral election because she is currently in custody, using the words, "Is this the reward for these achievements? She is currently in custody at the Vatan Police Headquarters. She will not be able to vote in the Deputy Mayoral election to be held on Saturday."

BEING ELECTED DOES NOT GIVE THE RIGHT TO COMMIT CRIMES

Dedetaş stated that being elected or having achievements does not grant anyone the right to commit crimes; however, in cases where a crime is not proven, people should not be treated unfairly for political reasons. "No achievement or elected status brings the freedom to commit crimes. However, no one who has no crime or whose crime cannot be proven can be subjected to such injustice just because of political calculations. Or can they? That decision is yours," she stated.

Arguing that the struggle for rights of women in the public, political, and business worlds will regress with these events, Dedetaş shared a memory and touched upon the importance of representation. Sharing that in recent years, for the first time, girls have started answering the question "What profession will you choose when you grow up?" with "I want to be a mayor," Dedetaş said, "They said these answers started coming after you. My eyes filled with tears when I heard this. Another glass ceiling had been broken for our girls. Well, what would they say if we asked again now?"

With only one day left until the second deputy mayoral election in Üsküdar, it was observed that the developments in the process have raised tensions. Dedetaş concluded her words by saying, "Tomorrow is a very important day for Üsküdar. The second deputy mayoral election will be held in the Municipal Council. Let us not forget that history will write the names of the council members who stand honorably in the election in golden letters."

HOW DID THIS PROCESS DEVELOP?

Following the arrest and removal of Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş from office, the first deputy mayoral election held was canceled as a result of the AKP's objection, and the relevant court decided to repeat the elections. The Istanbul Governorship announced that the new election would be held on Saturday, September 5, at 10:00. In the first election, Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate Sibel Tan Çetinkaya was elected deputy mayor; however, later, AKP members announced that four CHP council members had also switched to their party.

News Source: 12punto