06/02/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
In her speech at the commission, DEM Party Istanbul MP Özgül Saki brought up the oppression against LGBTI+ communities in universities, trans murders and suicides.
The meeting of the Parliamentary Investigation Commission on the Prevention of Women's Exposure to All Forms of Violence and Discrimination took place yesterday (4 February). The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and Hacettepe Institute of Population Studies made presentations at the commission meeting.
DEM Party Istanbul MP Özgül Saki brought up the closure of Boğaziçi University LGBTI+ Club, trans murders and suicides:
"The LGBTI+ club at Boğaziçi University was criminalised as if it was a crime, and moreover, it was raided and criminalised. These have a direct impact on universities. Sexual orientation and gender identity is not a crime in international treaties and the constitution. No one can be subjected to violence or harassment because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, this is a crime, but targeting communities in this way has severe consequences, as if it is not this that is a crime, but LGBTI+ communities. For example, trans woman Cansu C. committed suicide two days ago in Alsancak, Izmir; Damla in Istanbul, Eylül Cansın, Burcu in Konya. Trans women are also women. Therefore, we should also see the rights of trans women and their demands to live freely in the Research Commission on Violence against Women and Anti-Discrimination. There are really serious structural problems in universities." There are really serious structural problems in universities."
YÖK President Erol Özvar left Saki's statements about LGBTI+‘s unanswered, saying ’I will answer the part that concerns me’ , and said the following about disciplinary investigations into violence and harassment at universities:
‘As you know, we carry out the disciplinary process within the framework of the legislation shaped by the will of you from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, that is, the law and the related regulations. Therefore, we act with the law. The law we act on also originates from the Grand National Assembly."
Tags: human rights, women
