The AKP government in Turkey tightens its authoritarian grip

On January 1, 2021, the AKP government in Turkey appointed Professor Melih Bulu as the new rector of Bogazici University. This appointment was considered a new attack against academic freedom, which was met with outrage and protests from faculty and students.

Since the notorious 1980 military coup d’etat, Bulu was the first rector to be chosen from outside the university community. According to Endangered Scholars Worldwide, “in the first three days of protests, 40 students and alumni were taken into custody. As of January 7, at least 22 people have been released under legal probation.” Endangered Scholars Worldwide started a petition to call for the halt of Turkish government’s attacks on academic freedom.