[Fdu] European Sociological Assoc statement about the political situation academics face in Turkey

[Cynthia Wright]

ESA RN18 statement about the political situation academics face in 
Turkey As scholars concerned with the study of communications and media, 
and speaking for the research network in this field, which connects the 
work of social scientists across Europe, we condemn in the strongest 
possible terms recent steps taken against a group of colleagues in 
Turkey who have been calling for peace in the country.

We are horrified by suggestions that the Turkish authorities are 
considering measures against signatories to that call that include 
removing them from their university positions or even imprisoning them. 
Such measures would violate the human right to freedom of expression and 
they most certainly violate academic freedom. Freedom of thought and 
opinion is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey. 
Such freedom is itself essential for the functioning of science and 
scholarship.

We are also sure the authorities in Turkey would not wish to compromise 
the activities of Turkish scholars or to harm the international 
reputation of Turkish scholarship and academic life. Article 19 of the 
European Convention of Human Rights guarantees freedom of thought and 
opinion: "Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right 
shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart 
information and ideas without interference by public authority and 
regardless of frontiers". This European and universal human right means 
that limiting the freedom of expression of Turkish academics, who have 
signed the petition in question, may by violating basic human rights 
fortify Turkey's chance of being able to ever become a member of the 
European Union. We call on the Turkish government to act urgently to 
ensure freedom of expression is protected and sustained, by dropping all 
charges against those who have signed the petition for peace. The Board 
of the European Sociological Association's Research Network 18: 
Sociology of Communications and Media Research (ESA RN 18) April 5, 2016

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