Deputy chief physician's remarks about monogamy cause outrage

Click to read the article in Turkish (1) (2)

University of Health Sciences (SBÜ) Gülhane Training and Research Hospital (former GATA) Deputy Chief Physician Ali Edizer made a statement on social media and shared his views about Turkey's Civil Code as well as the principle and practice of monogamy stipulated by the law.

Indicating that "yet another marriage has shattered due to cheating," Edizer has alleged that "a man can get a second spouse as Islam allows it."

'He has been dismissed'

Shortly after these remarks caused outrage, it has been announced by journalist Ozan Bingöl that Edizer has been dismissed from his post.

"An investigation has been launched against GATA Deputy Chief Physician Ali Edizer... His contract has been terminated and he has been dismissed," journalist Bingöl has indicated in his tweet.

'The necessary should be done'

Ali Edizer's remarks have caused public outrage. Among the ones who have denounced these remarks are politicians, journalists and lawyers.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Özgür Özel has shared a message about the issue on his social media account and said that "he informed Health Minister Fahrettin Koca about the disturbance of both his party and the general public in the face of Edizer's remarks."

Noting that Minister Koca also expressed his unease about the statement of Edizer, Özel has stated that the Minister said the necessary would be done about the issue. "We will follow it up," Özel has stressed.

Journalist Banu Güven has also shared a social media message about the remarks of the Deputy Chief Physician. "I would not go to any hospital where Ali Edizer works, nor would I entrust a girl to such a hospital," Güven has said and added,  "Several women are also of the same opinion. The necessary should be done by keeping this in mind."

The We Will Stop Femicides Platform has also stated the following about the issue: "The Deputy Chief Physician of the GATA has targeted the Civil Code and made a call to men 'to take second spouses.' An investigation needs to be launched against Ali Edizer, an enemy of secularism who has committed a crime by attacking women's rights."

'What encourages him to do this?'

While lawyer Tuba Torun has asked Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca "what encourages those people to openly commit crimes," CHP Women's Organization Chair Aylin Nazlıaka has stated the following:

"Let's look at the statement made by SBÜ Gülhane Training and Research Hospital Deputy Chief Physician Dr. Ali Edizer on the 94th anniversary of the Civil Code! Let's ask this person who is said to be a member of a religious sect: Why are you so afraid that women are equal individuals?"

'Is the Menzil sect effective in the Ministry?

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Oya Ersoy has also brought the sexist and discriminatory remarks into the Parliamentary agenda:

"I am asking Health Minister Fahrettin Koca: As Ali Edizer shares the pictures of Muhammed Raşit Erol, the leader of the Menzil religious sect who died in 1993, on social media, thereby expressing his live and devotion, does this show that the Menzil is effective within the Ministry?"

She has also asked "whether there are any other people who share such posts that do not have anything to do with science, secularism or the profession of medicine." HDP MP Ersoy has also called on the authorities to launch the necessary investigations and proceedings against Edizer over his remarks targeting women. (EMK/SD)