April 17, 2025

As the Hrant Dink Foundation, we feel the need to make a statement regarding the allegations of a former employee, Caner Gönder.

On June 12, 2023, an 18-month fixed-term employment contract was signed between our foundation and our former employee as an "inclusive language workshops trainer." However, the employment contract was legally terminated by the foundation on December 8, 2023, on the justified grounds that "despite not having the necessary qualifications or conditions for one of the essential points of this contract at the time it was made, he claimed to possess them."

We became aware of the compensation case lodged against the foundation by Caner Gönder for unfair termination only at the final stage due to a "technical malfunction" in the e-notification system, the reason for which is not yet fully understood. We have exercised our right to appeal and submitted our objections regarding both procedure and merit to the court, and the file is now before the Regional Court of Justice. The legal process regarding the matter is continuing.

Most recently, on March 28, 2025, a meeting was held at the foundation with our former employee, a union representative, and their attorney. During the meeting, they requested that we withdraw our objection to the case. The foundation informed them that the matter would be brought before the foundation's Board of Directors during the meeting on April 18, and a response would be provided to them. Although Gönder stated that he would await the decision from that meeting, he chose to make statements on social media and issue a press release that do not reflect the truth, without waiting for the result of the Board of Directors meeting.

As the Hrant Dink Foundation, we have adopted a respectful, fair, and transparent approach to rights in all our work and in our relationships with our colleagues. We find it difficult to see good faith in attempting to turn a legal dispute -which is proceeding through its normal process and in which our former colleague will receive what he deserves if the court rules in his favor- into a campaign against our foundation.

Our former employee's claims regarding working conditions, which he did not mention either in his lawsuit petition or during our meeting but declared only on social media, have no basis in reality. We respectfully announce to the public that we reserve our legal rights on this matter, and as a non-profit civil society organization, our aim is to protect our resources, our values, and to exercise our legal rights.

Hrant Dink Foundation