Turkey’s academic petition affair: How Erdoğan’s attacks on critical academics are likely to bolster his support

A petition by Turkish academics criticising military operations in Kurdish-dominated areas of the country in January 2016 has generated substantial criticism from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other Turkish political figures. Sezin Öney argues that the affair, which has raised questions about the nature of academic freedom in Turkey, represents an attempt by Erdoğan to bolster his support among nationalist voters as part of his ongoing attempts to move the country toward a presidential political system.

ESO: Background information: From Past to Present Academic Freedom in Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/from-past-to-present-academic-freedom-in-turkey/

EU: EEAS: Statement, 16.01.16: Statement by the Spokesperson on the situation in the Southeast of Turkey and steps taken against a group of academics http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160116_01_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Letter from Istanbul: Turkey’s unwinnable war http://www.europeansources.info/record/letter-from-istanbul-turkeys-unwinnable-war/

Scholars at Risk Network: Academic Freedom Monitor: Turkey http://monitoring.academicfreedom.info/map/turkey

Scholars at Risk Network: Academic Freedom Monitor: Turkey, 11.01.16: Imprisonment / Prosecution / Loss of Position http://monitoring.academicfreedom.info/reports/2016-01-11-various-institutions

Today's Zaman, 21.01.16: European Parliament calls on Turkey to return to peace process https://newcoldwar.org/european-parliament-calls-on-turkey-to-return-to-peace-process/

Deutsche Welle, 17.01.16: Turkish academics fear further restrictions on freedom of opinion http://dw.com/p/1Hez5

The Conversation, 05.02.16: Turkey’s academics pay heavy price for resisting Erdoğan’s militarised politics https://theconversation.com/turkeys-academics-pay-heavy-price-for-resisting-erdogans-militarised-politics-54088

EurActiv, 22.04.16: Turkish academics go on trial for ‘terrorist propaganda’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/turkish-academics-go-on-trial-for-terrorist-propaganda/

Deutsche Welle, 22.04.16: Press, professors go on trial in Turkey http://dw.com/p/1IaZi

Deutsche Welle, 22.04.16: Turkish court releases academics in 'terrorist propaganda' case http://dw.com/p/1IbCp

BBC News, 22.04.16: Turkey academics on trial for 'terrorist propaganda' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36113334

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