Interior Ministry probes Bolu Municipality over discriminatory decisions

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (TİHEK) has released a written statement about the recent decisions taken by the Bolu Municipal Council, which is headed by Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

At the 2nd November meeting of the municipal council on November 22, 2021, it was decided by a majority of votes that foreign nationals residing in Bolu have their marriage ceremonies performed for 100,00 lira and a cubic meter of water cost them 2.5 US Dollars.

Releasing a written statement on its Twitter account within this context, the TİHEK has announced that the statements made by Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan and targeting the refugees in the city are closely followed by the Institution, which is responsible for protecting and improving human rights, preventing discrimination and ensuring that people are treated equally.

Accordingly, the TİHEK has announced that an ex officio inquiry has been launched into the recent decisions of the Bolu Municipal Council.

Referring to the relevant articles of the Law no. 6701 pertaining to the prevention of discrimination, the TİHEK has decided to probe the decisions as per its decision no. 2021/283 dated November 23.

Ministry has also launched an investigation

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), a day later, the Interior Ministry has also launched an investigation into the related decisions, under a series of laws and offenses, including the principle of "equality before the law" as per Article 10 of the Constitution; "principle of equality and prohibition of discrimination" as per the Articles 3 and 5 of the TİHEK Law no. 6701; "hatred and discrimination" as per the Article 122 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), "provoking the public to hatred and hostility or degrading" as per the Article 2616 and "misconduct in office" as per the Article 257 of the TCK.

Discrimination against refugees

In late July 2021, Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan announced that a 10-fold increase would be introduced to the water bills and solid waste taxes of foreign nationals so that refugees will leave Bolu. His proposal has been accepted by a majority of votes at the municipal council.

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against Özcan, bringing possible charges of "misconduct in office" and "hate and discrimination" against him over this announcement.

Shortly after he took office following the local elections on March 31, 2019, he also gave an instruction to cut the aid offered to refugees. (KÖ/TP/SD)