Following the dismissal of academics from Ankara University Faculty of Political Science, known by its historical name Mülkiye, the alumni association Mülkiye Alumni Union (Mülkiyeliler Birliği) held an emergency meeting and issued a press statement.
Remarking that the current state of emergency in Turkey wouldn’t legitimise the unlawful implementations, “We, as the Mülkiye Alumni Union, announce that we will continue to protect both our Faculty and our country,” the statement read.
“Thirty-four scientists were dismissed from Ankara University Faculty of Political Science, Mülkiye, upon three statutory decrees as part of the state of emergency. Statements of our academics weren’t taken; moreover, it is uncertain what they are being accused of. We are going through a process in which the judicial system isn’t being operated. Not a single one of the dismissed academics has ever received a punishment before. Not a single one of them was a user of the computer program that is claimed to be a sign for being a coup plotter," reading out the statement.
“The statutory decrees that are introduced as part of the state of emergency must be in accordance with the universal principles of law. The state of emergency cannot legitimise the unlawful implementations under any circumstances. The discussion began with the statutory decree no. 686 shows that the dismissals have also disrupted the public conscience," said in the statement.
“What should be done today without delay is the reinstatement of all our academics, who obviously do not have any links with terror, to their duties. Erkan İbiş, the Rector of Ankara University, must resign immediately. An investigation should be launched on these unlawful enforcements urgently. We, as the members of the Mülkiye Alumni Union, announce that we will continue to protect both our Faculty and our country in line with the Mülkiye March, which reads ‘O homeland! Stop weeping, for we arrived now. The Mülkiye Alumni Association will be in constant solidarity with our Faculty and our academics,” said in the statement.
