26/12/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL
Hacettepe University Queer Research Society Queer Deer was shut down in 2023. The Regional Administrative Court ruled that the closure was unlawful and canceled the decision.
Ankara Regional Administrative Court, 4th Administrative Case Department gave its decision in the case regarding the closure of Hacettepe University Queer Research Society (Queer Deer). The court ruled that the regulations justifying the closure of the society were against the principles of the rule of law and canceled the decision.
Announcing the court decision to the public, LGBTI+ association ÜniKuir said, “QueerDeer did not end with its closure, that is, the justice that we saw the crumbs of has found its place in favor of queer people.” ÜniKuir summarized the closure and lawsuit process as follows:
“The regulation amendment made in August 2023 tightened the criteria for the closure of student organizations. According to the previous regulation, societies that did not organize activities for two consecutive years would be shut down, but this period was reduced to one year. However, the procedure subject to the lawsuit was implemented only one month after the new regulation came into force, and QueerDeer was shut down on grounds from the previous period.
Ankara Regional Administrative Court canceled the decision to shut down the Queer Deer Community at Hacettepe University. The court ruled that the closure decision of Hacettepe University Rectorate Health, Culture and Sports Department was unlawful.
In the lawsuit filed by the President of the Queer Deer Community, it was stated that the allegations justifying the closure of the community had no legal basis and that the regulations violated constitutional rights. The plaintiffs claimed that the university administration has been creating various difficulties for the community for years, arbitrarily rejecting event permits and trying to prevent the community's activities. The plaintiffs also argued that a regulation amendment in 2023 changed the activity criteria against them and that the retroactive application of this regulation violated the principle of legal security.
The Ankara 21st Administrative Court's decision to dismiss the lawsuit was reviewed upon the plaintiff's appeal. Ankara Regional Administrative Court 4th Administrative Case Chamber stated that the amendment to the regulation violated the principles of legal security and certainty. The court concluded that the closure of the community shortly after the relevant regulation entered into force was an arbitrary decision taken without giving the community the opportunity to organize its activities.
The decision also emphasized the principle of “rule of law” in Article 2 of the Constitution, stating that the administration must observe the constitutional rights of individuals when making and implementing regulations. The court stated that the activities of the society in the past were not taken into account and that the decision was unlawful.
The decision also emphasized the principle of “rule of law” in Article 2 of the Constitution, stating that the administration must observe the constitutional rights of individuals when making and implementing regulations. The court stated that the activities carried out by the society in the past were not taken into consideration and that the decision was unlawful.
The annulment of the decision to close down the society means not only the reactivation of a student society, but also the defense of an understanding of governance based on law and the principle of equality.”
Tags: human rights, education
