Belgium-based civil society organization Solidarity with Others has recently released a new report drawing attention to property rights violations in Turkey. The report, titled „Systematic Violations of Property Rights in Turkey by State Appointments to Companies Series-1: Appointment of Trustees to Companies,“ sheds light on companies seized by the Erdogan regime since 2014. It highlights how the government in Turkey has been violating property rights by appointing trustees to companies through various methods, turning this into a systematic looting and seizure operation.
According to the 85-page report, thousands of companies in Turkey have had trustees appointed to them under the pretext of being linked to the Gülen Movement. This has led to significant legal, economic, and social issues, with the appointments being made for political purposes, disregarding principles such as the rule of law and property rights.
Since 2014, a total of 1371 companies in Turkey have had trustees appointed to them, with 60% of these companies being liquidated or emptied and returned, resulting in over 10,000 job losses. The report also states that these appointments have caused over 320 billion TL in damages to the companies and the economy, with 70% of the companies losing 50% of their value under trustee management and 80% of the liquidated companies being sold below market value.
The report accuses the Turkish government of creating a rent mechanism that serves the interests of politicians by deepening human rights violations under the guise of „fighting terrorism“ during the state of emergency. It mentions that the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) continues to appoint trustees to 694 companies across 32 provinces in Turkey.
Furthermore, the report explains how this rent mechanism operates. Initially, companies allegedly linked to the Gülen Movement are targeted without legal basis under the pretext of „financing terrorism,“ with Peace Criminal Judgeships issuing trustee appointments for political reasons. The appointed trustees, often close to the government, take control of the companies‘ assets and later sell them below market value or transfer them to state-controlled entities.
Solidarity with Others‘ report exposes how the Turkish government violates innocent people’s property rights and seizes their assets, emphasizing the importance of upholding principles such as the rule of law, property rights, and fair trials in maintaining a democratic society.
Did you know?
– Since 2014, 1371 companies in Turkey have had trustees appointed to them.
– 60% of the companies with trustees were liquidated or emptied and returned.
– Over 10,000 people lost their jobs during this process.
– 70% of the companies under trustee management have lost 50% of their value.
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By shedding light on these violations, Solidarity with Others aims to raise awareness about the erosion of property rights in Turkey and the need to protect fundamental principles for a democratic society.