A student residing at the Samiha Ayverdi Student Dormitory on the Umuttepe Campus of Kocaeli University was expelled from the dormitory during midterm exam week on the grounds that they participated in the March 19 protests, based on Article 24(f) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Dormitory Services Regulation. On November 13, three students staying at the Gazi Süleymanpaşa KYK Dormitory were also expelled from the dormitory on the same grounds. According to information obtained by Sendika.Org, the Kocaeli Provincial Police Department filed reports on at least nine people who participated in the protests on March 19 and reported them to the Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports on March 27, 2025; the administrations of the dormitories where the students resided initiated disciplinary investigations into these individuals. Subparagraph f of Article 24 of the regulation defines behavior contrary to the state’s constitutional characteristics, participation in ideological or politically motivated demonstrations, and displaying banners as grounds for expulsion from the dormitory. Despite this, Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations grants citizens the right to peaceful action and demonstration. According to the report, while activities by organizations close to the government, such as the Ensar Foundation, TÜGVA, and AKP Youth Wings, proceeded without issue in many KYK dormitories, students who participated in protest actions within the scope of their constitutional rights faced disciplinary penalties and expulsion decisions.
November 18, 2025
Sendika.Org