Criminal Complaint Against Nişanyan and a Lesson on Atatürk

12punto.com.tr - Müyesser YILDIZ

A criminal complaint has been filed with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against fugitive former Taraf columnist Sevan Nişanyan, who made immoral slanders against Atatürk in a broadcast last week due to his protection of young girls. The complaint also provided a lesson to Nişanyan by detailing Atatürk's efforts for orphaned children.

Attorney Tülay Bekar, President of the Çalıkuşları Association, who requested that Sevan Nişanyan be punished for the crimes of “publicly insulting the memory of Atatürk, inciting the public to hatred and hostility, and undermining the unity of the state and the integrity of the country,” emphasized the following in her criminal complaint to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office:

“On June 30, 1921, in Ankara, after the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), and even before the Republic was proclaimed and while the war was still ongoing, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led the establishment of the Society for the Protection of Children (Türkiye Himaye-i Etfal Cemiyeti), which is today's Social Services and Child Protection Agency. As one of the first institutions established, the Society for the Protection of Children undertook the task of protecting orphans and destitute children. As can be understood, the care, protection, and health of children were always Atatürk's priority.

The society also conducted studies on society and created awareness for the adoption of destitute children or for providing aid to these children. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also led the enactment of the Law on the Protection of Minors from Harmful Publications in 1927, even for periodicals and other works that did not fall under the definition of periodicals, which were understood to have a harmful effect on the morality of those under the age of 18. Another organization that served this purpose, although its primary founding purpose was not aimed at protecting children, is the Turkish Education Association (Türk Maarif Cemiyeti). Founded in 1928, this association provided free education opportunities to poor and destitute children.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk created an innovative education model within the education system that did not discriminate based on gender. By focusing on the education of women and girls, who were left behind in the education process compared to men, he included them in this system. Prof. Dr. Afet İnan, pilot Sabiha Gökçen, his adopted daughter Ülkü Hanımefendi... Atatürk always desired for Turkish women and girls to be at the forefront in Turkey and the world with their cultural, moral, and educational qualities. For this reason, women were encouraged to acquire professions such as engineers, doctors, teachers, and nurses, and were also included in politics in a professional sense. The accusations of the suspect Sevan Nişanyan regarding Atatürk and young girls are immoral expressions.

Atatürk instilled a love for animals, nature, and children in the whole world and acted with the awareness that children and women were in greater need of protection under the existing conditions. All these explanations are the most meaningful answers that can be given to those who cast aspersions on Atatürk with immoral expressions, those who want to push the public to hatred and hostility, and those who engage in actions and expressions aimed at weakening the independence of the Republic of Turkey or disrupting its unity. The suspect Sevan Nişanyan, who was also tried for insulting Prophet Muhammad in a previous article, was sentenced to 1 year and 45 days in prison for the crime of 'publicly degrading the religious values adopted by a section of the public.' From this, it is understood that the suspect has a personal hatred and hostility toward the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish Nation, and the national and religious values of the Turkish people. The suspect Sevan Nişanyan, who does not hesitate to display this hatred and hostility under the title of 'writer,' continuously continues his provocative actions.”

Attorney Tülay Bekar also filed a criminal complaint last week regarding a broadcast on a YouTube channel called “Asım'ın Nesli” that portrayed Atatürk as anti-Islamic, explaining Atatürk's services to religion and his work regarding Islam, and said, “Unfortunately, there will be individuals who do not understand these actions and try to attack Atatürk more and more every day. However, acting on Atatürk's words, 'There will surely be those who try to make me forgotten one day, but the Turkish youth will not allow this,' the Turkish youth will do their part and fight for those who make these statements to serve their sentences.”