Council of Graduates: Police Entering METU Unacceptable

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The Middle East Technical University (METU) Council of Graduates released a statement on the cutting of trees for a dorm construction in a 40-decare area, saying, "Another institution's authority on METU is unacceptable."

Students of the university have been protesting the dorm construction project for 59 days. Police dispersed the students in the planned construction area on Wednesday (July 10) and the trees on the planned construction site were cut. But the METU administration decided to review the construction plan after reactions by students and politicians.

The dorm was projected to be built by the Credits and Loans Institution (KYK), which the students opposed because of the institutions alleged ties with the government. Mansur Yavaş, the mayor of Ankara, offered to build a dorm and grant it to the university.

The council said in the statement that what has been experienced in the METU is an "ugly extension of the unlawfulness in the country."

"Another institution's authority on METU and the police entering the METU and performing checks at the gates is unacceptable. At this point, the KYK protocol should be canceled, the dorm should be constructed considering the offer of the Mayor of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.

"The right to make decisions about the METU belongs to the people of METU. We Call Mr. Chancellor to hear this call," the statement said.

The "METU Must be Defended Platform", which organized the resistance in the woods also made a call for a march to the area on July 14, under the slogan, "Roots call to resistance." (AÖ/SD)