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Addressing a Parliamentary question to Vice President Fuat Oktay, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Oya Ersoy has raised concerns about the sexual abuse of seven children in Erzurum province.
"We will not leave children in the hands of religionist cults and sects", Ersoy has said and recalled that seven children aged 10-11 were sexually abused by an inspector on duty at the Hacı Bahattin Evgi boys' boarding Quran course in central Palandöken district in Erzurum. The related Quran course is reportedly affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
Underlining that the lack of inspections in such dorms and courses leads to an increase in the number of abuse cases, Ersoy has said that these institutions must be closed. Noting that "economic crisis and poverty push citizens to the courses and dorms of religious cults," Ersoy has stressed that a budget must be allocated to public, secular and scientific education.
Ersoy has asked Oktay the following questions:
(AÖ/SD)