Target: Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag
Goal: Applaud the release of academics detained for calling for peace.
Four Turkish academics detained and facing charges of “making propaganda for terrorists” for signing an appeal for peace have been released. While they have not been acquitted, the proceedings against them have stopped and Muzaffer Kaya, Esra Mungan, Kivanc Ersoy and Meral Camci will be allowed to return to their lives. This move comes after intense domestic and international pressure on the Turkish government to release the four academics, including petitions such as this one.
The release of Muzaffer Kaya, Esra Mungan, Kivanc Ersoy, and Meral Camci is a step in the right direction. However, the lack of acquittal leaves open the possibility that proceedings will be restarted. Furthermore, there has been an alarming increase in human rights violations in Turkey including numerous cases of journalists and academics facing court for exercising their rights to freedom of speech. Therefore, while we should applaud the release of the academics, it is also important to push for total acquittal. Sign our petition and applaud Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag on the release of Muzaffer Kaya, Esra Mungan, Kivanc Ersoy, and Meral Camci and ask the minister to ensure the acquittal of the four academics.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Bozdag,
I am writing to congratulate you on the release of Muzaffer Kaya, Esra Mungan, Kivanc Ersoy, and Meral Camci. Their release is a step towards restoring Turkey’s international reputation as a country that respects the rights of freedoms of speech and self expression.
I hope that their release will be the first of many steps towards ensuring these rights and freedoms for all people in Turkey. With this in mind , I urge you to either acquit or pardon the academics rather than simply halting the proceedings against them so as to make it clear that they will no longer be targets for prosecution in this matter.
Furthermore, I urge you to take steps to ensure that other Turkish residents do not undergo the same ordeal. In order to restore Turkey’s reputation, it needs to be made clear that the Turkish government respects and supports human rights for all.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
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