Müge Okur
The inclusion of a significant public area in Datça within the scope of privatisation has triggered fresh tensions in the town. A proposal regarding the approximately 5,000-square-metre site in İskele Mahallesi—known locally as the ‘old hospital’ and currently housing a health centre, a courthouse and the 112 Emergency Centre—has sparked widespread opposition.
In a joint statement, it was emphasised that the area in question is not merely a piece of property; it holds significant value in terms of the town’s history, ecological balance and public health. It was stated that the healthcare facilities, coastal access and opportunities for public use in the area are critical for the people of Datça.
Arguing that the privatisation decision was being pushed through without consulting the public, they stated that this process runs counter to the public interest. The statement recalled previous struggles against similar initiatives and indicated that this decision would also be protested through democratic means. They announced that they would monitor the process in its entirety to ensure the preservation of the area’s public character.
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras, who joined the public event alongside Menderes Mayor’s wife Gonca Köksal, stated that this decision was unacceptable, saying, “All of Muğla is being handed over to developers parcel by parcel. This area is the only place in the centre of Datça where the public can breathe. Do not touch this place. Do not hand it over to developers.”
Addressing the government, Aras said, “Datça needs a cultural and arts centre, a care home, a nursery, and many other social facilities. Give this area to us so we can provide these services. We could even build a Recep Tayyip Erdoğan People’s Park and put up a sign for the President. Just let this area be used as a space where the people of Datça can breathe.”
At the end of his speech, Aras called out to all Datça residents, saying, “There is no politics in this matter. Where are you, people of Datça? Stand up for your living spaces.”
At the event, a call was also made for the immediate release of Esra Işık, the symbolic figure of İkizköy who was arrested in Milas for defending her land.
Datça Democracy Platform: Health is not for sale!
The Datça Democracy Platform gathered on 5 April in front of the Old Hospital – Community Health Centre. They issued a statement declaring that they would not relinquish the public’s right to health or public assets:
“Our Health, Our Land, Our Forests, Our Shores… Are Not Up for Grabbing
We, the Datça Democracy Platform, say: Health is not a commodity for sale! Just like our land, forests and shores, our public spaces are not up for grabbing. Protecting Datça’s greenery, blue waters, air and health is not just the struggle of a single association or council, but a shared struggle of all Datça residents. The resolute stance taken on 5 April by the Muğla Environment Platform (MUÇEP), the Datça Health Council and the Datça Özbel Environment Association is the finest example of this struggle. As the Datça Democracy Platform, we declare that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with any democratic struggle against this decision until the very end. We will not take a single step back for the sake of our people’s health and our public assets.”