12.04.2025 08:00
A play area located in a shopping mall in Etimesgut did not allow children with Down syndrome. The Ministry of Family and Social Services filed a criminal complaint against the establishment for 'hate and discrimination' offenses. The Mayor of Etimesgut, Erdal Beşikçioğlu, announced that the business, which was found to have denied entry to a child with Down syndrome to the ball pit, has been sealed.
In the Gimsa Park Shopping Mall in the Etimesgut district, 7-year-old Mert Affan Yüce, who has Down syndrome, went to the play area accompanied by his teacher Sevcan Odabaşı Karakurt. However, the business officials stated that they could not issue a ticket to Mert upon realizing that he has Down syndrome.
TEACHER REACTED
While other children of the same age were allowed to enter the area, Mert's exclusion solely due to his differences was met with great reaction by his teacher, Sevcan Odabaşı Karakurt. A discussion began between teacher Karakurt and the female business official. The business official defended herself by saying, "We are a private establishment." The teacher stated that she would report the business to the relevant authorities.
HEARTBREAKING MOMENTS WATCHED THROUGH THE GLASS
Despite all the efforts of the teacher, when Mert with Down syndrome was not allowed inside, the teacher called on other parents to react to the business. While other children were playing inside, the moments when Mert with Down syndrome watched them through the glass were heartbreaking. The teacher recorded those moments and stated, "This is a place that makes some children laugh and makes some children cry."
MINISTRY'S STATEMENT
Following this news, the Ministry of Family and Social Services made a statement saying, "After the footage, our provincial directorate teams promptly took action and met with the child's family, providing psychosocial support. As a ministry, a criminal complaint has been filed against the said establishment under the Turkish Penal Code for 'hate and discrimination' offenses. We declare that all our children have equal rights and that we will act with a zero-tolerance principle against discrimination, and we will closely follow the process."
ERDAL BEŞİKÇİOĞLU: THE ESTABLISHMENT WAS SEALED
Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu announced that the establishment that was determined not to allow the child with Down syndrome into the ball pit has been sealed.
In his statement, Beşikçioğlu expressed the following:
"As part of the routine inspections conducted in the Gimsa market branches throughout our district, it has been determined that some of the children's play areas in certain branches were operating without the necessary legal permits and licenses. Accordingly, the play areas that were found to be operating in violation of the regulations have been sealed by our municipal police teams, and their activities have been terminated.
These actions have been carried out not only to fulfill legal requirements but also as a result of the evaluations of notifications and complaints received from our citizens. Especially in light of the recent sad incident reported to the public regarding a child with Down syndrome not being allowed into the play area, the investigations conducted have also been included in this process.
As the Etimesgut Municipality, ensuring that every individual living in our district receives services in equal, safe, and healthy environments is our primary priority. In this context, no tolerance will be shown to any activity that is unlicensed and unregulated, nor will discrimination or exclusionary practices be allowed.
Respectfully announced to the public."