Statement from the TBMM General Secretariat regarding 'intern harassment': 'Suspended'

In a written statement issued by the General Secretariat of the TBMM, it was stated that following a complaint petition submitted to the TBMM General Secretariat on November 19, 2025, by the family of one of the interns serving during the 2024-2025 academic year, the General Secretariat stating that an investigation was launched on November 20, 2025, and that within the scope of the investigation, theallegations contained in the petitionare being meticulously examined, and that so far, a cookworkingas apublic employee was, on December4, 2025, removed fromtheir position.it was stated that they were suspended.

The statement indicated that the investigation is expected to be completed on December 12, 2025, and noted that regarding those involved,termination of employment contracts, aIt was noted that penalties such as dismissal from duty would be applied.It was also stated that the findings obtained within the scope of the ongoing investigation would be shared with judicial authorities.

DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülüstan Kılıç Koçyiğit, in her speech at the TBMM General Assembly, stated, "As the 600 deputies present here in the Parliament, as alldeputies, against children"we are responsible for, childrenare obligated to protect the rights of. This Parliament itself, and every single member of parliament here, isobligated toprioritize the best interestsof thechild.in this grave incident, wetruly effective, and transparent investigationprocess is carried out, and as the DEM Party Group, we willfollow up on ensuring that thosewho committed this are brought to justice and tried.We will bewe must express that, and I would like to conclude with this; As the DEM Party, instead of being content with just an administrative investigation, wepropose here to theentire Parliament and the Bureau, as well as to the Speaker of Parliament, the formation of a commission consisting of femalemembers of parliament from all parties.However, sucha commission process could investigate in a multifaceted wayand in atrue sense, the childrenI believe it can also protect their rights," they stated.

"IT IS AGRAVEINCIDENT"

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır also said, "It is a grave incident; what befits the Parliament, what befits us, is to investigate this incidentin all its aspects.to investigate andhand over the real culprits to the law and follow the case. As the Republican People's Party Group, which allgroupsthinkthesamewayI know that, we have all talked about it among ourselves, we share the same thoughts on this, we will follow this matter. The public should rest assured on this matter; those who are accused of being guilty, thethose alleged to be involved, and we willfight againstthem," she stated.

MHP Group Deputy Chairperson Filiz Kılıç condemned the incident,stating, "As a group, we are not only against child abusebut against every tthat we are against allforms of abuse, regardless of gender, and Ithat we are against allforms of abuse would like to state first and foremost. Subsequently, under the roof of our Veteran Parliament,in such aplace where Turkey's heart and brain are located,in such an environment against ourchild or children—whether boy or girl, as I said, I do not distinguish by gender in this matter—regarding this alleged incident, the fact that our General Secretariat immediatelyintervenedin the incident and began to do what is necessary is, from ourperspective, significant, but at the same time first, we demand that the necessaryactions be taken fully, both before the judiciary and before our General Secretariatas soon as possible, and I would like tostate that we join the remarks of our otherGroup Deputy Chairpersons,he said.

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE ISSUE"

AKP Group Deputy Chairman Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu stated that an investigation into the incident was launched on November 20 andstating, "As of December 4,the individual in questionhas been suspendedfrom their duties. It is anticipated that the investigation will be completed by December 12, 2025, and regarding this matter, based on the outcome of this disciplinaryinvestigation,the judicialprocess willthat may be in question. Therefore,both in terms of an administrative disciplinary investigation and its judicial dimension, our General Secretariat and allparty groupsas, especially as the AK Party Group, we are closely followingthis matter,and as the followers of this issue, we will all together demonstrate this sensitivity collectively regardingthe necessary punishment. Always child abuseand we will continue to stand against it together. I would also like to state that Turkey, in its foreign policy, on every platform, in every field, and everywhere, has defended its rights, interests, and concerns andhas stood up for them, andwill continue to do so," he said.

"CHILD ABUSE "IS A CRIMEAGAINSTHUMANITY"

İYİ Party Group Deputy Chairman Turhan Çömez stated, "Child abuseis a crime against humanity,it is very grave, a veryserious crime.is and the fact that this occurredin an institution under the roof of Parliamentonly increasesthe gravity of the situation. Where is the mistake, where are we falling short? When we look at the reported news, this is a systematic incident. The ongoing messaging between them shows this was not a short-term event. Therefore, there is institutional negligence and a deficiency here. Furthermore, the institutionsthat sent these childrenhere for internshipsalso lack proper oversight," he said.

"MULTIPLE PERPETRATORS AND VICTIMS"

DEVA Party Group Deputy Chairman Mehmet Emin Ekmen also stated, "The fact that this act took place under the roof of theGrand National Assembly of Turkeyand that itapparentlycontinued for a period of time, and that there are multiple perpetrators and victims, has increased the gravity of the incident. The General Secretariat's almost identicalresponseto the situation...the processhaving initiated the process is certainly gratifying for all of us, but this investigation'sscopeshould not be limited to the statement of the complainant; in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, in recent years, those who have come for internships or otherreasons, specifically girls of thechildren whether similardisturbances have occurred, and I would like to state that a comprehensive investigation must be conducted," he said.

News Source: İHA