Siirt Province: A History of Administrative Control and State of Emergency
The administrative history of Siirt province is marked by periods of intense central government oversight and the implementation of exceptional legal frameworks. From the early years of the Republic to the late 20th century, the region has been subject to various governance models designed to maintain state control and manage ethnic and political tensions.
The Era of Inspectorates-General (1927–1952)
In June 1927, the Turkish government passed Law 1164. This legislation was specifically designed to Turkify the Kurdish population of Siirt and surrounding areas. The law enabled the creation of Inspectorates-General (Umumi Müffetişlik, or UM), which allowed the state to govern these regions under martial law during a declared state of emergency.
Siirt was integrated into the First Inspectorate General. Under this system, an Inspector General held expansive authority, overseeing civilian, juridical, and military matters. This centralized power structure extended across several provinces, including Hakkâri, Siirt, Van, Mardin, Bitlis, Sanlıurfa, Elaziğ, and Diyarbakır.
These Inspectorates-General remained in effect until 1952, when they were dissolved by the Democrat Party government. Despite this change, the region remained restricted; foreigners were forbidden from entering Siirt province until 1965.
The OHAL Period and the Supergovernor (1987–1999)
In July 1987, Siirt was once again placed under a state of emergency, known as OHAL. This measure was implemented to counter the activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). During this period, the province was managed by a supergovernor.
A supergovernor possessed significantly more authority than a standard provincial governor. These additional powers included the ability to relocate and resettle entire settlements. The legal landscape shifted further in December 1990 with the issuance of Decree No. 430.
Decree No. 430 granted the supergovernor and other provincial governors within the OHAL region immunity from legal prosecution for actions taken using the powers granted by the decree. This era of exceptional governance finally concluded in November 1999, when the state of emergency was ended.
Key Facts
- Law 1164 (1927): Established Inspectorates-General to govern with martial law.
- First Inspectorate General: Covered eight provinces, including Siirt, Van, and Diyarbakır.
- Foreign Access: Entry to Siirt was prohibited for foreigners until 1965.
- OHAL: A state of emergency declared in July 1987 to combat the PKK.
- Decree No. 430: Provided legal immunity to governors in the OHAL region starting in 1990.
- End of OHAL: The state of emergency in the province ended in November 1999.
| Period | Governance Model | Key Legal Instrument | Primary Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927–1952 | Inspectorate-General (UM) | Law 1164 | Martial law and centralized military/civilian authority. |
| 1952–1987 | Transition Period | N/A | Foreigners banned from entry until 1965. |
| 1987–1999 | OHAL (State of Emergency) | Decree No. 430 (1990) | Supergovernor authority and legal immunity. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of Law 1164?
Law 1164 was passed in June 1927 to Turkify the Kurds of Siirt by establishing Inspectorates-General that could govern the region under martial law.
Which provinces were part of the First Inspectorate General?
The First Inspectorate General covered the provinces of Hakkâri, Siirt, Van, Mardin, Bitlis, Sanlıurfa, Elaziğ, and Diyarbakır.
When were foreigners finally allowed to enter Siirt?
Foreigners were forbidden from entering the Siirt province until 1965.
What powers did a supergovernor have during the OHAL period?
A supergovernor had more power than a normal governor, including the specific authority to relocate and resettle entire settlements.
What did Decree No. 430 provide for government officials?
Issued in December 1990, Decree No. 430 granted supergovernors and provincial governors in the OHAL region immunity from legal prosecution for actions performed under the powers of that decree.
When did the state of emergency in Siirt officially end?
The state of emergency under which the province was governed ended in November 1999.