Cüneyt Alphan, Ankara Representative of the Press and Media Workers' Association (BAMEC) and a columnist for our newspaper, made an official application to the Presidential State Supervisory Board (DDK), alleging that he had been profiled at TRT, that his working relationship was denied and that documents were hidden from the judiciary and supervisory authorities.
In the application made through CIMER, it was emphasized that the process is not only an institutional dispute, but also points to a systematic chain of victimization that has been going on for nearly 25 years since February 28.
“There is work, there is payroll; there is denial”
Alphan stated that he worked at TRT Kürdi for about 1.5 years as an insured employee and that payrolls and official records are available. Despite this, TRT has denied this working relationship before the courts and administrative audit authorities, Alphan said, noting that this poses serious legal and administrative problems for an institution that uses public power.
No appointment made after TRT World interview
The statement said that Alphan was not appointed to TRT World despite being among the top 15 out of approximately 2,500 candidates. It was stated that the non-appointment was not based on objective and merit-based criteria, but on a report allegedly prepared against him. The report in question contained abstract, evidence-free and accusatory statements that he “practiced Kurdishism” and “posted inappropriate tweets about the parallel structure”; Alphan was informed that this report had been forwarded to higher authorities.
Allegation of administrative responsibility
It was claimed that the process of profiling was initiated by Mustafa Ekici, the then TRT Kürdi Coordinator, and continued under the current TRT General Director Zahid Sobacı by actually blocking the appointment and employment process. Alphan demanded that the DDK independently investigate whether or not the aforementioned public officials have administrative responsibilities within the framework of their duties and authorities.
Courts asked for documents, TRT did not provide them
Stating that the courts and the Ombudsman's Office (Ombudsman's Office) explicitly requested documents from TRT during the judicial process, Alphan said that despite this, TRT did not submit any documents and the lawsuits were rejected.
It was noted that this raises serious questions in terms of the right to a fair trial and the principles of effective supervision.
The issue was brought to Parliament and international institutions
It was stated that the file was brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey by DEM Party MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, but the attempts remained unanswered. The process was also recorded at the international level with the written response of the President of the European Parliament, the official response of the General Secretariat of the Council of Europe and an application accepted by the European Court of Human Rights.
It was also stated that the file was repeatedly publicized with concrete documents in national press and television programs.
“A 25-year struggle for rights”
Alphan emphasized that what happened was not just a matter of employment or appointment; it was a process of victimization for more than 25 years, directly linked to the right to work, freedom of expression, and social and economic rights. He stated that this process has directly affected not only him but also his family and child.
Call to DDK
The purpose of the application to the State Supervisory Board is to conduct an ex officio, independent and comprehensive examination of the alleged plugging practices at TRT, the failure to submit documents to judicial and supervisory authorities, and administrative dispositions in appointment and employment processes within the scope of Article 108 of the Constitution.