Turkey

An Unprecedented Year for the SAR Network

Thank you to the SAR Network for an incredible year of solidarity — an inspiring affirmation of collective purpose and demonstrated commitment to threatened scholars everywhere. In response to the ever growing demand for assistance, the SAR Network created an

Restore Academic Freedom and Autonomy at Boğaziçi University

Scholars at Risk issued the below letter (PDF available here) to Turkish state and higher education officials in response to the arbitrary dismissal of three democratically appointed deans from Boğaziçi University. In the letter, SAR urges the reversal of the

Turkey: Institutional Autonomy Under Threat

Scholars at Risk has joined international partners in endorsing the below petition regarding recent events at Turkey’s Boğaziçi University. On January 1, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appointed new rectors to five universities in Turkey. These included appointing Melih Bulu, a

Turkey: Twenty-five students detained in dormitory raids

On June 2, 2018, Turkish authorities reportedly detained 25 university students in Adana, apparently based on alleged connections to Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen, who authorities claim was responsible for a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

Büşra Ersanlı sentenced to one year and three months’ imprisonment for endorsing Peace Petition

On June 5, 2018, a Turkish court convicted and sentenced Büşra Ersanlı, professor emeritus at Marmara University, to one year and three months’ imprisonment on a charge of “propagandizing for a terrorist organization,” based on her endorsement of a petition

Turkey’s Academics for Peace to Receive 2018 Courage to Think Defender Award

Scholars at Risk has announced Turkey’s Academics for Peace as recipients of the 2018 Courage to Think Defender Award, for their extraordinary efforts in building academic solidarity and in promoting the principles of academic freedom, freedom of inquiry, and the

Two years since Peace Petition, attacks on higher education sector continue

Scholars at Risk has issued a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressing concern for continuing, severe pressures on Turkey's higher education sector and urging his support in reversing these actions.

SAR demands respect for due process as Academics for Peace go on trial

Scholars at Risk has issued a letter of appeal in support of scholars being prosecuted for their endorsement of the "Academics for Peace" petition.

Scholar detained over alleged connections with Fethullah Gülen

On September 5, 2017, Turkish authorities reportedly detained Hakan Özhan, a professor of medicine at Duzce University, based on alleged connections with Fethullah Gülen, who authorities claim was responsible for a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

300+ Academic personnel dismissed by order of emergency decree

On July 14, 2017, Turkish authorities issued an emergency decree which ordered the dismissal of 302 academic personnel and 54 administrative staff, and the expulsion of 9 students, based on allegations that they were involved in a violent coup attempt

Professor Istar Gozaydin’s 100th day of incarceration displays deteriorating conditions for freedom of speech in Turkey

Thursday March 30th marks the 100th day of imprisonment of Professor Istar Gozaydin, lately Chair of the Department of Sociology at Turkey’s Gediz University.

330 Academics ordered for dismissal in Turkey

On February 7, 2017, state authorities issued a decree ordering the dismissal of 330 academic personnel from 49 universities, based on allegations that they were suspected of being involved in a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016. Authorities allege

Turkey: 1,184 University Personnel Dismissed in Emergency Decree

On November 22, 2016, Turkish authorities issued a decree ordering the dismissal of 242 academic personnel and 942 higher education administrative personnel, on suspicion of connection to a violent coup attempt on July 15.

1,267 Academics dismissed, 68 students abroad expelled, says Turkey decree

On October 29, 2016, Turkish authorities issued a decree ordering the dismissal of 1,267 academic personnel, and the expulsion of 68 students studying abroad, on suspicion that they were connected to a violent coup attempt on July 15. Authorities have

31 Istanbul University scholars detained in putsch aftermath

On July 24 and 25, 2016, Turkish authorities reportedly detained 31 scholars from Istanbul University on suspicion of membership to Turkey’s Gülenist movement.