Union: Disciplinary action against health official is a warning to workers and unions

Ahmet Mehlepçi, General President of the Birlik ve Dayanışma Sendikası (Unity and Solidarity Union), stated that the disciplinary process against Hacı Yusuf Eryazğan, the union's Branch No. 3 President, is intended as a warning to healthcare workers and unions. Mehlepçi explained that Eryazğan has consistently brought the problems faced by family physicians and health workers to public attention, fought for their rights through legal means, and voiced criticism of health policies within a democratic framework.

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The disciplinary process against our Branch No. 3 President Hacı Yusuf Eryazğan is intended as a warning to healthcare workers and unions.

Despite this, Mehlepçi alleged that Eryazğan has been subjected to successive investigations and severe disciplinary actions, facing intense administrative pressure due to his critical views and union activities. Mehlepçi highlighted that the prosecutor's office found no criminal elements in the social media posts that formed the basis of the investigation, issuing a decision of non-prosecution.

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He has been subjected to successive investigations and severe disciplinary actions, facing intense administrative pressure due to his critical views and union activities.

"Punishing statements that do not constitute a crime under criminal law through disciplinary law is incompatible with the principles of the rule of law," Mehlepçi stated. He emphasized that the administrative body's disciplinary authority cannot be used to obstruct union activities or silence critical voices. Mehlepçi stressed that freedom of expression, the right to unionize, and the right to seek redress, all guaranteed by the Constitution, are fundamental rights for public officials as well.

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Punishing statements that do not constitute a crime under criminal law through disciplinary law is incompatible with the principles of the rule of law.

Eryazğan commented that a previous lawsuit concerning his raising of issues with vaccine procurement was lost by the Ministry. He noted that now, his social media posts regarding family medicine, which even the prosecutor's office did not deem criminal, are being used as grounds for disciplinary action. Eryazğan believes the disciplinary measure is not solely directed at him but serves as a warning to healthcare workers who express critical views and to unions.

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The disciplinary measure is not solely directed at me, but serves as a warning to healthcare workers who express critical views and to unions.