Statement from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey regarding the harassment scandal

The General Secretariat of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey issued a written statement regarding the allegations of harassment againststudents interning at the institution. Thestatement noted, "Theadministrative investigation conductedIn the investigation, it was determined that two interns were interning in the TBMM kitchen from Septemberof 2024to June 2025, and that a Parliament employeenamed H.İ.G., a chef,sentmessages to one of our interns via an instant messaging application between June 18 and November 1between the dates of 2025, a cook named I.B.andthe other, it was observed that they sent harassing messages to our other intern between July 19-21, 2025, with the intention ofapproachingthem.It wasobserved. The relevant personnel (H.İ.G. and İ.B.) were suspended from their duties on December 4-5, 2025.According to the investigation completed on December 11, 2025,a proposal was madefor these individualsto be dismissedfrom public service.

As for the third intern, the TBMM kitchenthat she continued her internship, which began in Septemberof the year 2025,and was subjected to the verbal and physical harassment of a Parliamentemployee named D.U.,acook,during her time there.thein front of complaintwas madethat, as a result of the examination of camera footage, on September 24, 2025, in the Public Relations building kitchen, where other personnel were also present in large numbers and workin an environment where they were working, within 13 minuteshe made physical contact (on her arm and waist) three timesis observed. Considering thechild'sbest interests and the physical contacts reflected in the camera footagetaking into account, D.U. was primarilysubjected toThey have been suspended from their duties,and with the investigation report dated December 11, 2025, a proposal for theirdismissal from publicservice has been submitted.

Furthermore, regarding R.,who is accusedof harassment,The allegations regarding the cook named Ç.and the head cook named R.S. were not directly proven as a result of the investigation; however, during their public duties, they acted in a manner that damaged the reputation and dignity of theproposals for disciplinary action have been submitted for engaging in behaviorthat would undermine the sense of trust. All information obtained within the scope of the investigation and a copy of the disciplinary reporthave also been shared with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.Within the scope of the ongoing judicial investigation,4 personnel have been arrested and 1 person has been placed under judicial control.We will stand firmly against this heinous incident, which has saddened us all and victimized our interns and their families, and we will take every measure to ensure it does not happen again.The administrative and judicial processes regarding the matter are being followed with the utmost sensitivity.We want everyone to know that we will continue to take the necessary administrative measures.Regardless of the position, seniority, or title of the personnel alleged to have committed a crime,the necessary administrative and judicial procedures will continue to be applied in the strictest manner.On the other hand, because of a small number of individuals who have been involved in crimes or exhibited immoral behavior, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which is the apple of the country's eye,and the majority of its personnel should not be subjected to unfair accusations.We are committed to maintaining the integrity of this institution.We view the inclusion ofas a greatinjustice.We will continueto stand by our employees who fulfill their duties and responsibilitiesin accordance with the law and professional ethics, andwe will continue to protect the reputation of the TBMM," the statement said.

"DISMIS SEDFROMDUTYLMISTIR"

Had the harassment allegations not been reflected in the public eye, the matter would have been coveredup, and no action would have been taken. Sthat the claims do not reflect thetruth, the statementemphasizedand included the following expressions:

"Regarding the harassment allegation, thefamilyin question first reached out to the Secretary General. Within the framework of the effective investigationguarantee provided to them, the family filed a complaintpetition andan investigation was immediately launched by order of the Office of the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. While the harassment allegations first appeared in the media on December 10, the administrative investigation was initiated on November 20. Three personnel against whom evidence was obtained were suspended from their duties on December 4-5 pendingthe investigation. Therefore, the matter was not learnedfrom the media; on the contrary, the media became aware of the issue due to theprocesses such as taking statements within the scope of the administrative investigation.It is. At the beginning, only one complaintexisted, but the investigation was conductedmeticulously, and as a resultthe other two complaints were also reachhas been reached, and the scope of the investigation has been expanded to include proceedings against 5 personnel. Information and documents within the scope of the disciplinary investigation were immediately shared with judicial authorities, paving the way for the judicial process.A separate disciplinary investigation is ongoing regarding accusations that an intern was advised to 'not speak without proving their claims.'The claims that harassment has beensystematically carried out in Parliament since 2018do notreflectthe truth.does not reflect the truth. The incident in 2018 occurred in another unit as anattempted physical contact by a servicestaffmember towards anintern,and theinvestigation conductedAs a result of the investigation, the individual concerned was removed from publicservice.Elements such as the crime scene,the method of committing the crime,and the personnel who committed the crimein the case currently on the agendahave been clearlyidentified.there is nosimilarity whatsoever.Operating on a 24/7 basis,the security camerasmonitor the area, and in the crowded workenvironment of the Parliament kitchen, where staff work intensive hours, a retrospective review of the camera footageregarding the harassment allegationsregardingthe suspected single case was identified and included in the investigation in question.The scope of the harassment casesis much larger than announcedharassment, sexual assault, abortion, and similar situationsof covering upare absolutely nottrueand do not reflect the facts.

First and foremost, the point that must be understood is that theThese types of allegations, which were never raised by the interns at work or their families, arespecifically violating the rights of these children.Within the scope of the administrative investigationconducted, no such information, document, or evidence has been found.In discussions held with judicial authorities, it was stated that there is no information, document, or evidence to confirm these allegations during the judicial investigation phase either.There is amatter at hand...Despite there being no findingsby judicial or administrative authorities in this regard,making allegationsthat are not based on any informationregarding the victim,the perpetrator, the act, the place, or the timeis, to put it mildly, irresponsible. It must also be underlined that anyone who possesses information, documents, or evidence in this regardIt is a legal and conscientious obligation for those who claim that such incidents occurred or who voice these allegations in the public sphere to apply to judicial and administrative authorities as soon as possible. Claims that the investigation is being conducted in acovertmannerdo not reflect the truth. Regarding the investigation processwhich is being conducted meticulously and comprehensively under the instructions of the Office of the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey,the investigationprocessis being handled as follows: In accordance with the principle of transparency, the General Secretariat of the TBMM provided information regarding the investigation processvia a press release issued on December 10,and the results of the disciplinary investigationwere shared with the public on December 11.

Furthermore, our political party groups and the Committee on Equal Opportunity for Women and Men (KEFEK) were informed, and during the investigationprocess, all types of information and documents were sharedopenly.it wasexplicitly stated that they wereinvolved. A comprehensive meeting was heldwith the Monitoring Committee, which was formedby one member from each of our political partiesthat have a groupwithin the KEFEK Commission, and allaccess to all information and documentshas been provided. All information obtained within the scope of the administrative investigationhas also been shared with the judicial authorities."