Turkey: Student activists to protest at Istanbul's Yildiz Technical University Jan. 8

Event

Student activists plan to demonstrate at the Yildiz Technical University (YTU) in Istanbul Jan 8. The purpose of the rally is to show solidarity with a series of actions recently launched by students of Bosphorus University (Bogazici Universitesi) to protest that institution's new government-appointed president. Activists will gather at the main YTU campus in Istanbul's Besiktas District beginning at 1400.

Authorities will almost certainly deploy a heavy police presence in the vicinity of the protest. Clashes between activists and security personnel are possible; police in Turkey can be quick to resort to forceful methods to disperse demonstrations. While bystanders are unlikely to be targeted in any violence, they could face a significant indirect threat.

Context

Several thousand activists attended related demonstrations at the Bosphorus University and in the Kadikoy District Jan. 4 and 6. Clashes with police were reported Jan. 4 as officers resorted to the use of tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Dozens of protesters have since been arrested, which in turn prompted students to rally outside the Caglayan court building in Istanbul's Sisli District on Jan. 7 to demand the release of fellow activists who have been detained. Further demonstrations are likely in the coming days, and could be well-attended. Students and faculty at other academic institutions, as well as members of labor organizations and leftist political groups, have held a number of separate demonstrations of varying size as shows of support for activists at Bosphorus University.

Students associated with the group Bosphorus Solidarity (Bogazici Dayanismasi) have been protesting to condemn the appointment of Dr. Melih Bulu as the president of the Bosphorus University. Many students are opposed to Bulu's serving as the institute's president since he was appointed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) rather than being selected internally. Bulu had also been a candidate for Parliament on the AKP ticket during Turkey's 2015 elections. Critics assert his appointment is a political move by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rather than a decision based on the interests of academia.

Advice

Avoid all related demonstrations in the coming days and exercise caution in the vicinity of prominent universities. Allow extra time to reach nearby destinations. Heed the instructions of local security personnel and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation.