One of Turkey's most prominent academic reformers, Kemal Gürüz, was arrested and jailed for the second time based on charges of participation in a 1997 plot. He is a retired chemical engineer and former president of both the Turkish of Higher Education Council (YÖK) and the Turkish science-funding agency TÜBITAK.The move was condemned by human-rights activists and some Turkish scientists, who say ... Continue Reading>>
Professor Busra Ersanli Released from Jail
CCS welcomes the news from Scholars at Risk informing us that Professor Busra Ersanli of Turkey was released from prison on Friday, July 13, 2012. Reports indicate that charges against Professor Ersanli remain and that the trial will continue on October 1. Professor Ersanli, a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Marmara University in Istanbul, was arrested on October 28, ... Continue Reading>>
Turkish Engineer's Six-Month Detention Violates Due Process, CCS Claims
The arrest and detention of Turkish engineer Dr. Faruk Yarman, based on the Turkish Government's trial of an alleged conspiracy dating back to 2003, seems to violate due process as required under international law. CCS urges authorities in Turkey to ensure that Dr. Yarman is entitled to access to counsel and family while imprisoned and to early release under bail or bond, since he has not been ... Continue Reading>>
Turkish Engineer’s Six-Month Detention Violates Due Process, CCS Claims
The arrest and detention of Turkish engineer Dr. Faruk Yarman, based on the Turkish Government's trial of an alleged conspiracy dating back to 2003, seems to violate due process as required under international law. CCS urges authorities in Turkey to ensure that Dr. Yarman is entitled to access to counsel and family while imprisoned and to early release under bail or bond, since he has not been ... Continue Reading>>
Arrest of Professor Ersanli on Terrorist Charges Appears to be Based on Guilt by Association
CCS wrote to the president of Turkey, Abdullah Güll, asking him to intervene in the case of Dr. Büsra Ersanlı, a professor who is also a member of a political party that is allegedly linked by association to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a banned party in Turkey. Dr. Ersanli denies this allegation. Absent any additional or contrary information, the facts appear to indicate that Professor Ersanlı ... Continue Reading>>
Petition for the Release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu from Prison in Turkey
We urge the signing of this petition for the release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu for health reasons pending the outcome of their trials. To: His Excellency Abdullah Gul, President of the Republic of Turkey This petition is sponsored by the Committee of Concerned Scientists — an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement ... Continue Reading>>
Government Action Threatens the Turkish Academy of Sciences
The government of Turkey issued a decree in August that would strip the Academy of its autonomy by having political bodies appoint most of its members and making its presidency a government-appointed position. The Committee of Concerned Scientists wrote to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan supporting the action of other science academies in support of the Academy's autonomy ... Continue Reading>>
Sign a Petition for the Release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu from Prison in Turkey
The Committee of Concerned Scientists has created a petition for the release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu from prison in Turkey. Click here to sign the petition. Help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. ... Continue Reading>>
Ergenekon Trials in Turkey of Academics
Dr. Mehmet Haberal, an internationally respected transplant surgeon and rector of Bashkent University, and Dr. Ferit Bernay, a medical doctor and former rector of 19 Mayis University, are among 194 people who are on trial for allegedly attempting to overthrow the democratically elected government by violence -- serious charges that could lead to several life sentences In addition, 10 other ... Continue Reading>>
Turkey: Science magazine editor allegedly fired for evolution coverage
Dr. Cigem Atakuman: Expressed CCS concern about the suppression of an issue on evolution in a scientific magazine published by TUBITAK, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, and with the firing of the publication’s editor. The March issue of “Bilim ve Teknik” (Science & Technology), which would have covered Darwin and his contributions to science, was changed at the last ... Continue Reading>>