04.11.2026 10:30
The Constitutional Court ruled that freedom of expression was violated in the one-month professional suspension penalty imposed on Prof. Dr. Canan Karatay due to her words 'I am against all vaccines.' The High Court, stating that the legal basis and necessity of the disciplinary penalty had not been sufficiently established, ordered a retrial.
The Constitutional Court (AYM) ruled on the individual application concerning the temporary suspension from the profession imposed on Prof. Dr. Canan Karatay due to her statements about vaccines. While ruling that Karatay's freedom of expression had been violated, the High Court ordered a retrial to eliminate the consequences of the decision.
"I AM AGAINST ALL VACCINES" WORDS LED TO PENALTY
Canan Karatay made various claims about vaccines on a television program she appeared on and used the words "I am against all vaccines."
After these statements, the Istanbul Medical Chamber initiated a disciplinary investigation into Karatay.
As a result of the investigation, Karatay was given a one-month suspension from the profession, and the decision was also upheld by the High Honor Board of the Turkish Medical Association.
AFTER FAILING TO GET A RESULT FROM THE COURTS, SHE APPLIED TO THE AYM
Karatay applied to the judiciary for the annulment of the disciplinary penalty imposed on her. However, she did not get the result she sought from the administrative courts.
Thereupon, Karatay filed an individual application with the Constitutional Court, arguing that punishing her for her statements about vaccines violated her freedom of expression.
The High Court examined the application and issued its decision.
AYM: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION WAS VIOLATED
The Constitutional Court considered that Karatay's temporary suspension from the profession due to her statements constituted an interference with freedom of expression.
The Court concluded that the legal basis for the disciplinary penalty imposed due to statements on medical issues and why the interference was necessary had not been sufficiently established.
For this reason, it ruled that Karatay's freedom of expression had been violated.
A RETRIAL WILL BE HELD
The Constitutional Court decided that a retrial be held in order to eliminate the consequences of the violation.
While it ordered that the file be sent to the Ankara 14th Administrative Court, the AYM's decision was published in the Official Gazette.
The decision does not mean that Karatay's claims about vaccines were found to be scientifically correct. The High Court's assessment is limited to the lawfulness of the disciplinary penalty imposed due to the statements in question with respect to freedom of expression.