Özgür Özel reacts sharply to harassment allegations in the Turkish Parliament

CHP leader Özgür Özel, during a press conference held at the CHP Headquarters with Anahtar Party Chairman Yavuz Ağıralioğlu, made statements regarding allegations that intern children were harassed in the Parliament cafeteria.

Stating that the incident is a great source of shame for the TBMM, Özel said, "We are filled with great anger and a great sense of shame on behalf of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, of which we are members." Expressing that the parliamentary administration must investigate this situation in the fastest and harshest manner possible, Özel drew attention to the importance of taking the necessary steps to satisfy public opinion.

Highlights from Özel's speech are as follows:

'We are filled with great anger and a great sense of shame on behalf of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, of which we are members. Parliament must do what is necessary to ensure that this matter is prosecuted, investigated, and punished by the parliamentary administration in the fastest and harshest manner, with the strictest measures, in a way that satisfies the entire public and leaves no room for recurrence.

There is a reaction from our female colleagues working in Parliament and from female members of parliament regarding this issue. This reaction is very understandable. What is incomprehensible is the police trying to prevent this reaction in front of the Parliament's gate. We had spoken with our Speaker of the Parliament before. Parliament is often the last point of hope, and police obstruction against those who come there to make their voices heard is unacceptable. Of course, the security of the Parliament is ensured. We had even told the Speaker, with the positive approach of the Çankaya Municipality and the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, that the park in front of the Parliament could be turned into a democracy park, a free podium could be placed there, and that reactions, protests, and appeals to Parliament could be made; he had said it could be possible. Even though the Speaker still says, 'people can come to Parliament, press statements can be made here,' today, on a day when he should be looking at himself, police resistance is suddenly being shown against the female members of parliament, female employees, and women's organizations in front of the Parliament. This is not understandable.

Such bad experiences should not happen anywhere, and when they do, they must be addressed in the harshest way possible. However, it is unacceptable that such a thing could even cross someone's mind in Parliament, and that a person who would attempt such a thing could slip through the filters of the place where this nation's most precious national will is manifested and enter this filth. Furthermore, 10 people are being mentioned, but it is said that only one person has been suspended from duty so far. We are waiting for transparent answers as soon as possible that will satisfy the public's curiosity and the anxiety of each and every one of us.'

News Source: 12punto