16/03/2023 | Writer: Selma Koçak
The Ankara 8th Administrative Court ruled that the ban on 10th METU Pride March put by the METU Rectorate, was unlawful.
The Ankara 8th Administrative Court ruled that the e-mail of the METU Rectorate to students and alumni stating that they would not allow 10th METU Pride March and call everyone to prevent the march, written on June 7, 2022, was unlawful.
The ban decision of the Rectorate was brought to the Administrative Court by the students of METU, under the legal advice of UniKuir (Uni Queer). The unanimous decision made on January 30, was disclosed on February 27.
ÜniKuir announced the decision as follows:
It was underlined that right to meeting and demonstration was one of the indispensable fundamental rights in a democratic society within the context of the case heard at the Ankara 8th Administrative Court. It is also reminded that the state has the responsibility to protect the right to meeting and demonstration which takes place among the fundamental rights in a democratic society:
“There is no doubt that the state must dress balance between the security of public and exercising the right to demonstrate and meetings, that the state has the responsibility of taking necessary measures in order to exercise freedom of assembly, and that the state is able to protect public order by taking necessary measures in case of emerging probable provocations and attacks against them, instead of putting ban on them.”
What had the unlawful ban of the rector led to?
10th METU Pride March, held on June 10, was banned by the rectorate.
The participants of the march were detained by the police using violence and torture. Totally 38 people were taken into custody during METU Pride March. Police attack also targeted LGBTI+ activists who went to hospitals with the aim of meeting their detainee friends.
Tags: human rights, education
