Academics from Boğaziçi University have issued a written statement regarding the invitation of Nureddin Yıldız as a speaker for an event organized by the Islamic Studies Club (BİSAK).
The academics pointed out that the event was held in violation of the university’s student club regulations and the functioning of the Inter-Club Council (KAK), stating that Yıldız’s past statements have been met with reactions from students.
“HAS LED TO TENSION AT OUR UNIVERSITY”
In a statement titled “This is our public announcement as Boğaziçi University academics,” the following remarks were made:
– “On the evening of May 13th, BİSAK organized an event, disregarding the approval of the inter-club council (KAK) in violation of student activity regulations (clearly violating Article 41 of the Constitution and Article 103 of the Penal Code) by inviting Nurettin Yıldız, known for legitimizing child abuse and violence against women, causing a justifiable uproar among students. Students peacefully protested by exercising their fundamental rights as outlined in the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations and Article 34 of the Constitution.”
– “The Naci İnci administration has openly supported a scientifically unfounded event designed to provoke the university community, leading to tensions at our university and intentionally exposing our students to police intervention and violence.”
– “Since his appointment, the trustee administration has canceled or censored numerous student activities without justification, yet permitted this event where the internal approval mechanisms of the university were not followed; afterward, it was announced that disciplinary investigations would be started and criminal complaints would be filed against students who declared their intention to exercise their legitimate protest rights if the event proceeded.”
– “During the peaceful protests held on the evening of May 13th at the North Campus, the trustee administration personally invited riot police to the campus, and following its lockdown, many students were subjected to violence by the police, with 97 students detained. Meanwhile, outside the campus, groups supporting IBDA-C shouted, ‘We demand sharia, long live sharia,’ while attacking the surrounding barriers and hurling stones, and no warning was issued let alone arrests made.”
– “It appears that police who were allegedly injured during the ensuing chaos fell into deep construction pits, created without adhering to any construction procedures or safety protocols, which has already resulted in the death of a worker. Therefore, it is evident that the responsibility for the injuries lies primarily with Naci İnci and the trustee administration, who appointed unqualified individuals solely based on loyalty.”
“WE DEMAND THE RELEASE OF DETAINED STUDENTS”
– “As a result of the incidents, 91 students were released under judicial control, while 6 detained students have been released, with one obtaining freedom today.”
– “It is unacceptable for students, merely exercising their peaceful protest rights—fundamental constitutional rights—to be subjected to violence, held without cause, and detained without tangible evidence against them.”
– “We expect the immediate release of all detained students and the removal of arbitrary restrictions such as judicial controls and overseas bans, while also demanding the termination of investigations against them. We will continue to advocate for our students’ rights and will follow through with legal processes until the end.”
– “In the aftermath of the regrettable events on May 13th, we, the academics of Boğaziçi University, are filing a public complaint: Naci İnci provided institutional support for an explicitly provocative event that has no place in a university campus and invited riot police, resulting in the violence faced by protesting students.”
– “We demand the resignation of Naci İnci, who is directly responsible for escalating the incidents and the violence against students; if he does not resign, we expect him to be dismissed and for necessary legal proceedings to begin.”
– “Alongside the trustee administration’s stance and statements, we vehemently condemn entities like the Bura organization, which support this administration, that label our students’ reactions against a person who openly endorses child abuse and violence against women as ‘threats,’ ‘attempts at lynching,’ and accuse them of ‘plunging the campus into chaos with fabricated excuses.’ We invite everyone to uphold common humanitarian and ethical values.”
