Prague July 20, 2016

With great concern and anxiety we are following the latest news from Turkey and the developments in the field of higher education institutions and academia.

Based on the available information from the media: academics are prohibited from travelling abroad, a number of deans have been asked to resign, teachers and education officials have been made redundant and schools have been closed.   

We support our colleagues and friends from Turkish universities and institutions of higher education with whom we are connected in solidarity during their difficult situation which is threatening both academic freedoms and autonomy of academia.

We support their right to freedom and democracy.

We support the statement of the European University Association (EUA) of 19 July 2016.

We appeal to all citizens of good will, regardless of their convictions and political orientation, to promote the preservation of democratic values and human rights in Turkey.

Prof. MUDr. Tomáš Zima, DrSc.

President of Czech Rectors Conference

Rector of Charles University