Student Union protests NATO summit evictions from university dorms
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Student unions in Turkey are protesting the eviction of students from dormitories at Bilkent University ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara.
- They claim students' housing and educational rights are being sidelined for security measures related to the summit.
- The Student Union argues that universities should prioritize education and science over security policies and rejects the current system that prioritizes "war over education."
Student unions in Turkey have voiced strong opposition to the alleged eviction of students from dormitories at Bilkent University in Ankara, citing security measures implemented for an upcoming NATO summit. The Student Union claims that students are being forced out of their accommodations and that campus life is being reshaped according to security protocols.
In a statement released via social media, the Student Union asserted that students' fundamental rights to housing and education are being disregarded in favor of hosting the international summit. "Bilkent University, due to the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara, is evicting students from dormitories, and campus life is being reorganized according to security policies. Students' right to housing and education is being ignored for the sake of a summit," the statement read.
At Bilkent University, due to the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara, students are being evicted from dormitories, and campus life is being reorganized according to security policies. Students' right to housing and education is being ignored for the sake of a summit.
The union emphasized that the measures taken for the summit directly impact students' daily lives. They argued that universities should remain centers for academic and scientific activities, rather than being dictated by security concerns. The organization concluded by rejecting the current system, stating, "We do not accept this system that prioritizes war over education."
We do not accept this system that prioritizes war over education.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.