Following the failed coup in Turkey, the Turkish authorities have suspended more than 15,000 employees, revoked the licences of 21,000 teachers employed at private schools and 1,500 university deans have been asked to resign. Human Rights Watch has said the speed and scale of recent arrests suggests a purge rather than a process based on any evidence (Turkish purge grows after failed coup attempt, 20 July).
While the UCU rejects the attempted coup, we have serious concerns about the latest violations of fundamental freedoms in the country. These actions come as more than 1,200 academics are already under some form of criminal or disciplinary investigation for signing a petition calling for renewed peace negotiations with the Kurds. The Turkish government has previously denounced academics who have expressed opinions contrary to security policies of the government, as “traitors” and “terrorists without weapons”. The Turkish government has to recognise and demonstrate that democracy is the only answer.
Sally Hunt
General secretary, University and College Union
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