16 bar associations file criminal complaint against Rahmi Koç and Binali Yıldırım

A joke told by businessman Rahmi Koç at the opening ceremony of the İzmir American Hospital, which was attributed to Kurdish women, has sparked intense public debate. The ceremony, organized by Koç Healthcare under the Vehbi Koç Foundation, was attended by Rahmi Koç, Ali Koç, Semahat Arsel, former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, and many representatives from the business world.

In the joke told from the podium, Koç said, "The doctor listened to the Kurdish woman's problem. When he said, 'Madam, go behind the curtain and undress,' the woman said (mimicking), 'Doctor, you undress first,'" and the fact that Binali Yıldırım, who was among the audience, reacted to these words by laughing, caused a reaction from many people.

The İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has also launched an ex officio investigation into Rahmi Koç's remarks.

16 bar associations issued a joint statement regarding the events at the opening, announcing that they have filed a criminal complaint against Rahmi Koç and Binali Yıldırım. The statement, signed by the bar associations of Adıyaman, Ağrı, Batman, Bingöl, Bitlis, Dersim, Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Iğdır, Kars, Mardin, Muş, Siirt, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Tunceli, and Van, included the following expressions:

"We regret that the so-called joke told by the person named Rahmi Koç, which contains humiliating, sexist, and degrading expressions against Kurdish women, was met with laughter by those present, including former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım. It is unacceptable to present this narrative, which focuses on humiliating Kurdish women through both their female identity and ethnic affiliation, as 'humor.' Even more thought-provoking is that this derogatory discourse was rewarded with laughter by those in the hall."

Emphasizing the importance of social peace and equal citizenship, the bar associations shared the following views:

"At a time when social peace, equal citizenship, and the law of brotherhood are being discussed, the circulation of prejudices targeting Kurds and Kurdish women so comfortably serves not to heal the wounds of the past, but to deepen them. Everyone in the hall, especially former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, should know this: remaining silent in the face of words that humiliate the women of a people is one thing, but accompanying those words with laughter is another.

Laughter is the strongest endorsement of what is said. The behavior of Binali Yıldırım, who is himself Kurdish and who, given his state experience and representation, should have shown the necessary reaction immediately and opposed the insult, but instead supported it with his laughter, is an unacceptably irresponsible example."

Stating that they are against discriminatory discourse and expressions that damage human dignity, the bar associations addressed the public with the following statement:

"As Regional Bar Associations; we reject all kinds of discriminatory language targeting women, peoples, and human dignity, we clearly condemn this attitude and the behavior that accompanied it, and we respectfully share with the public that we have filed a criminal complaint against the aforementioned individuals."