Open Letter Condemning the Purge of Academic Institutions in Turkey

Professor of Quantitativ methods Hungary

Turkey is a country full of wonderful culture, witty writers, thoughtful intellectuals. You're cutting off the circulation to the heart of the country here.

Associate Professor of History UC Davis

Professor of Psychology Psychology Department Grand Valley State University 1317 Au Sable Hall Allendale, MI 49401 USA

Who could have imagined in their wildest dreams that a potentially successful democratic society would undertake such a classic totalitarian purge. All that Turkey has worked for in the 20th century will be gone. And so will its ability to progress and build alliances with the democratic world. To ourt colleagues in academia -- we are with you, because you are on the side of reason. To President Erdogan -- shame.

I stand in solidarity with academic colleagues in Turkey, who need to retain their capacity to do research and teaching regardless of their position on the government.

Academic institutions can only work and function in a environment that ensures their academic freedom. This includes the freedom to travel an exchange, the freedom to research independently, and institutional independence. If these factors are not granted, academic work and research cannot continue - they would be destroyed. Turkey needs a strong, healthy and free academic life, to ensure its future, and open up a lively, bright perspective for its younger generations.

The defense of academic freedom is an essential part of democracy in Turkey. Attacking and firing academics threatens Turkey's place in the democratic world.

Turkey is fast loosing its reputation as an enlightened democratic nation.

Erdogan: hands off academia, hands off the press, and hands off your critics.

Full Professor, University of Genoa, Italy

Ithaca College, USA

Cowards and sociopaths are always afraid of the scholars, of critical thinking, of objectivity...that is, of all that ensures a civilised society in which people can think clearly.

Professor, Flm and Media Studies UC Irvine

Canada

Knowledge is a supreme value. Stupidity destroys the future.

Academic freedom is human freedom, and as such a human rights issue and nation-state obligation.

In solidarity with our colleagues in Turkey and in the defense of academic freedom, we call upon President Erdoğan to reverse course and to respect the independence of academic institutions and the academic freedom of their faculty and students. We will support this call with the public and private means available to us.

The Prime Minister and his party should not use the recent coup attempt as an excuse to further stifle free speech, advance censorship and to destroy the fabric of the academic community in his nation. These are steps towards dictatorship and will not bring peace to Turkey.

Professor of Sociology, University of Washington