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University Academic Members Association (UNİVDER) Board of Directors has stated that the reaction of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) against the declaration “We will not be a party to this crime” had been wrong and alarming.
In its declaration titled “We will not stay silent on the academic massacre”, the board has called on YÖK to pull back from its statement of taking legal action regarding the declaration of the academics.
Noting that they would not stay quiet and thus be a party to this crime, ÜNİVDER has announced, that they would defend the academic liberties and the freedom of expression of the academics.
“An attack on the freedom of expression”
The declaration of the board is as follows:
“YÖK’s reaction against the declaration of 1,128 scientists titled ‘We will not be a party to this crime’ is wrong and very alarming. The academics’ opinions expressed concerning the matters of the state are always open to discussion and they can and must naturally be criticized.
“But attempts to prohibit and penalize the act of expressing such opinions constitute a serious attack on the freedom of expression which also embraces all of the most opponent and for some disagreeable opinions, and should embrace these in particular. Our attitude is based on principles and it’s independent from our personal positions concerning the content of the declaration and the environment of armed conflicts in the Southeast”.
“An offense at the autonomy of university”
“In addition, YÖK’s decision is also highly alarming concerning the autonomy of the university: Right after the speech of the President declaring the statement of the academics a ‘treason’, YÖK has made it its business and has organized a general meeting on the very same day issuing the decision that ‘necessary legal actions regarding the declaration will be taken and a joint meeting will be held with the rectors and the International Board of Universities in order to discuss the issue’.
“Such an attempt at “taking necessary legal actions” has the characteristics of a direct and serious attack on the autonomy of the university. There are signs indicating that an ‘intentional witch hunt’ has been launched in order to elect and extract contra-opposing academics from the university using the declaration as an excuse.
“Such an attack on the autonomy of the university and the freedom of expression is going to constitute a dark era in our history of democracy and social development. We call on the YÖK to pull back from its decision of taking legal actions. We will not stay quiet and be a party to this crime. We would like to announce to the public, that we are going to defend the academic liberties and the freedom of expression of the academics who have signed the declaration till the end”. (BK/DG)
