Ankara – The appointment of a political figure linked to the ruling Turkish party as rector of a major Istanbul university has sparked protests and raised concerns about deepening political intervention in higher education.
The big picture: Turkey ranks 135th out of 144 countries in the academic freedom index and in 2016 President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received the authority to appoint university staff by decree. This was one of the many steps taken to strengthen his power after a failed coup.
- Erdoğan used this power last month to appoint Melih Bulu as rector of Bogazici University, known as Harvard in Turkey.
- Founded in 1863 as Robert College, the prestigious public university was the first American institution of higher education abroad.
Driving the news: The appointment sparked peaceful protests from students and faculty members who demanded Bulu’s resignation and that the university be allowed to elect its own rector.
- Turkish police repressed. More than 600 students have been detained since Feb. 1 and at least ten remain in custody.
- In recent days, peaceful protests have spread throughout the country.
The state of play: As the protests continue, Bulu tries to establish his control over the university administration by appointing two vice-chancellors.
- On Friday, by surprise, Erdoğan overlooked the Board of Higher Education to open two new faculties at the university: law and communications.
- Critics refer to this as a “Trojan horse” movement that will allow Erdoğan to appoint additional academic staff. Existing staff had refused to cooperate with Bulu.
What they say: The Turkish government claims the protesters are “extremists” who violate the ban on public gatherings because of COVID-19. Erdogan and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu called them “terrorists.”
- Soylu even tweeted that the protesters were “LGBT perverts.” His tweet was quickly censored by Twitter.
- State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned the anti-LGBT comments of Turkish officials, expressed concern over the wider response to the protests, and said the Biden administration would not remain silent on issues related to fundamental democratic freedoms.
- During a phone call last week with Erdogan’s top adviser, Ibrahim Kalin, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration will show a “broad commitment to support for democratic institutions.” and the rule of law ”in Turkey, according to the White House reading.
What follows: Decisions on the possible prosecution of detained students will be made within two months, in accordance with legal procedures. Protests are expected to continue, and academics read a statement from behind every day in the rectory building.