International support messages continue to be shared for the Boğaziçi University students in resistance.
When one of Turkey’s most prestigious universities was appointed a rector by the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the students took to the streets in rage and protest and called for the immediate resignation of the newly installed rector Melih Bulu, who has been widely cariticised for his academic dishonesty and plagiarism as well as his active membership of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party.
Whilst the students have not bowed to the intense government campaign of misinformation and labelling of the protesting students and staff at the prestigious university as ‘terrorists’ international solidarity with the resistance grows.
Academics from all around the world have shared their messages of solidarity with the ongoing Boğaziçi University resistance.
”Students are struggling with the violence of the authorities who are trying to politically suppress the university. I hope all democrats, human rights defenders will embrace this resistance,” said Professor Adam Sulikowski from Wroclaw University.
Prof. Robert Nola from University of Auckland emphasised the rising authoritarian tendencies in Turkey whilst he stated that he has been following the events in Turkey with great concern.
“Unfortunately, in Poland and Hungary too, the authorities have been trying to subordinate the people who refuse to obey them. Therefore I believe that actions similar to Boğaziçi University may soon be necessary there too.” he said.
Pointing out that in a democratic society, people have the right to peacefully express their objections and resist the policies, Nola stated, “It is a shame that the values of a university are destroyed by the government. Supporters of academic rights all over the world condemn this.”
