HÜDA PAR (Free Cause Party) has issued a comprehensive statement calling for reforms in education and social welfare, emphasizing the urgent need to respect religious freedoms and improve care for elderly citizens.

The statement addresses the ongoing controversies surrounding the national school dress code and the growing challenges faced by older adults across Türkiye.

Controversial School Dress Code

HÜDA PAR criticized a regulation, in effect since 2012, requiring preschool and primary school students to keep their hair uncovered. The party described the provision as “humiliating” and “unacceptable,” arguing that it reflects a repressive and secularist mindset that continues to infringe on citizens’ freedom of belief.

“The continued enforcement of this provision, even if not strictly applied, raises serious concerns among parents, students, and educators. Treating headscarves as a problem at the preschool or primary school level is neither pedagogically sound nor consistent with international human rights standards,” the statement said.

The party stressed that such regulations contribute to social pressures and may encourage discrimination or exclusion of students who wish to observe religious dress practices. HÜDA PAR called on the Ministry of National Education to immediately reassess the dress code and to implement policies that protect the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

Organized Forgery and the Rule of Law

Beyond education, HÜDA PAR addressed systemic issues in public administration, including recent cases of organized forgery involving fake diplomas, licenses, and land registry documents accessed through digital state systems. The party’s Legal Affairs Department warned that these crimes expose deep structural corruption and called for thorough, impartial investigations.

“Regardless of political affiliation, bureaucratic position, or personal connections, such organized crimes must be prosecuted without exception. No person or group’s status should shield them from justice,” the statement said.

HÜDA PAR also highlighted the vulnerability of Türkiye’s digital infrastructure, stressing that attacks on state systems threaten both the privacy and property rights of citizens. The party urged the government to implement permanent technical and institutional safeguards, including rigorous audits, strengthened regulations, and advanced cybersecurity measures.

Challenges Facing Elderly Citizens

The party drew attention to the growing difficulties faced by elderly citizens in Türkiye, particularly those in nursing homes and private care facilities. HÜDA PAR highlighted that public support is insufficient to meet the needs of millions of elderly individuals experiencing financial hardship, loneliness, and social isolation.

“Many elderly citizens live in overcrowded care facilities, while private care institutions have fees that are increasingly unaffordable. Pension incomes are often inadequate to cover basic needs, leaving older adults vulnerable,” the statement said.

Religious and Social Responsibility

Citing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), HÜDA PAR emphasized the moral and social significance of elderly citizens: “If the pious young, the elderly whose backs are bent, the nursing infants, and the spreading animals did not exist, calamities would have overwhelmed you like a flood.”

The statement highlighted that neglecting elderly citizens is both a human failing and a loss of societal cohesion. Respecting and protecting the elderly, the party argued, is essential for both religious duty and social stability.

“Elderly citizens find true security and dignity not in institutional care but in family support. A society that does not value its elderly has no future. Justice and compassion begin with protecting the elderly,” the statement said.

HÜDA PAR has called on the Turkish government to reassess the school dress code to respect religious freedoms, particularly for young students, by revising the restrictive “hair must be uncovered” rule in preschool and primary education. The party also urged improvements in social welfare services for elderly citizens, advocating for higher pensions and expanded home care programs to ensure dignified living conditions.

Additionally, HÜDA PAR emphasized the need to strengthen legal and digital safeguards to combat fraud and corruption in public institutions, demanding impartial investigations and robust security measures to protect citizens’ rights and privacy.

The party’s statement underscores broader societal challenges in Türkiye, including the tension between secularist policies and religious freedoms, the adequacy of social welfare for vulnerable populations, and the integrity of public institutions. HÜDA PAR’s calls reflect a push toward inclusive policies that respect human rights, protect the elderly, and strengthen governance structures.

HÜDA PAR’s position has significance beyond Türkiye, drawing attention to issues of religious freedom, social protection, and good governance. The statement aligns with global discussions on children’s rights, elderly care, and digital security, highlighting the importance of ensuring equality, dignity, and protection for all citizens.

The statement is expected to stimulate debate among policymakers, educators, and social welfare advocates in Türkiye, with potential implications for legal reforms, educational policy, and social care programs. It calls on authorities to take concrete steps to safeguard religious freedoms and address the pressing needs of older citizens, reinforcing the principle that a just society respects both the rights of the young and the dignity of the elderly. (ILKHA)