Support for Academics from Academic Council of Ankara University

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Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences Academic Council has released a declaration against prosecutions and investigations launched into academics signing the declaration titled “We will not be a party to this crime”.

CLICK - ACADEMICS: WE WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO THIS CRIME

The council has stated that signing the declaration is within the scope of academic freedom and freedom of expression.

The council added that they find disciplinary probes, criminal investigations into academics are unacceptable and they stand by academics being targeted.

“We stand by academics being targeted”

The council’s statement is briefly as follows:

“Academic members’ being able to work in academic freedom and scientific autonomy is the essential condition to ensure efficiency of research and education activities. By taking that into consideration, Ankara University, Faculty of Political Science Academic Council gathering on January 25, 2016 finds it appropriate to make the declaration below.

“For a while, our faculty members are being targeted systematically in various ways, their course content, lectures and exam questions are aimed at by being distorted. As Academic Council, we want to proclaim to public that we stand by the academics being targeted like this!”

“Signing the declaration is within the scope of academic freedom”

“Freedom of thought, opinion and expression is a basic human right advocated by our Faculty. Many academics from our faculty have signed the hotly-debated declaration issued by Academics for Peace.

“We are of the opinion that signing the declaration in question is within the scope of academic freedom and freedom of expression protected by both national law and international law”.

“Investigations are unacceptable”

“We find it unacceptable that course and exam subjects or signing a peace-themed declaration are being subjected to investigations by executive and judicial authorities.

“As an institute that defends freedom of expression of its students and lecturers even under the most difficult conditions, is embracing the dignity of our occupation and academic values as our duty and our debt to our people”. (BK/TK)