Nurse dismissed from civil service over ‘hair braiding’ protest despite acquittal

A Turkish nurse who was acquitted of charges related to a social media post expressing solidarity with Kurdish women has been dismissed from her position in the civil service. İkra Avcı, a nurse working at a public hospital in Kocaeli, northwest Turkey, shared a video online in January showing herself braiding her hair in support of a Kurdish woman killed in Syria. This act led to her brief detention and subsequent trial under accusations of "terror propaganda." Though she was cleared of these charges in late May, she was later removed from her role in the civil service, despite the lack of a criminal conviction. The controversy began in early January when footage surfaced of a member of the Syrian interim government forces holding up the severed braid of a female fighter from the Kurdish Women’s Defense Units (YPJ). This act of desecration sparked outrage among Kurdish women, who initiated a social media campaign by sharing photos of themselves with braided hair. The movement quickly gained international attention, drawing participation from women around the world. Avcı joined the campaign by posting a short video of herself braiding her hair, which authorities used to open both judicial and administrative investigations against her. Avcı was initially suspended from her nursing job after the video went viral. At the time, several individuals faced similar legal scrutiny over their involvement in the hair-braiding protests, with some being charged under "terror propaganda" laws. In mid-May, a court in Kocaeli ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict Avcı of the charges, leading to her acquittal. However, the disciplinary process continued separately from the criminal case, culminating in her dismissal from the civil service. According to Turkey’s Civil Servants Law No. 657, decisions regarding dismissals are made by the respective institution’s High Disciplinary Board. In Avcı’s case, the Health Ministry’s High Disciplinary Board determined that her actions warranted removal from her position. Details surrounding the board’s decision, such as its date, reference number, and specific justification, are not publicly available. Authorities have not provided an official explanation for why the disciplinary action was taken, particularly since Avcı was found not guilty in the criminal proceeding. Avcı expressed her frustration and sense of injustice through a social media post announcing her dismissal. She stated that her intent was to raise awareness about the violence and femicides affecting women globally. “I have been dismissed from my profession as a nurse,” she wrote. “I braided my hair to protest the killing of women, violence and femicides. The price I paid was my profession. I will never forgive this injustice.” Her statement highlights the tension between free expression and state regulation in Turkey, especially concerning issues tied to political and ethnic sensitivities. Legal experts suggest that Avcı may pursue further action against the disciplinary ruling. While the exact steps she plans to take remain unclear, her case could set a precedent for how civil servants are treated in administrative matters unrelated to criminal convictions. The lack of transparency in the disciplinary process has raised concerns about the fairness of such procedures within the Turkish bureaucracy. The incident underscores broader debates about freedom of expression, the treatment of dissenting voices, and the application of disciplinary measures in the public sector. As Avcı prepares to contest her dismissal, the outcome of her legal battle could influence future cases involving similar circumstances. Meanwhile, the issue of the desecration of the Kurdish woman’s braid continues to resonate internationally, reflecting ongoing tensions in regions affected by conflict and human rights violations.