University students won, thanks to TEKEL workers

After the enquiries opened against the students of Hacettepe University, who gave support to TEKEL resistance, led to reactions in the public opinion, Chairman of the Higher Education Council and the university administration had to remember the concept of “freedom”.

Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, Chairman of the Higher Education Council, expressed his wish for “freedom at the universities” following the enquiries opened against the students of Hacettepe University, who gave support to TEKEL workers. And the university administration following the Chairman of the Higher Education Council had to withdraw the enquiries with an instant decision.

Ozcan hitting the headline on the newspaper Aksam was claimed to have said he had learnt the enquiry in question via the press. He also said that university students should be able to use all kinds of democratic rights as long as their actions are not violent.

Chairman of the Higher Education Council remembered the concept of freedom
Ozcan “backing” the students of Hacettepe University which opened enquiries against many students for giving support to TEKEL resistance and notified the families of the students about the enquiries said: “students should be able to express their opinions freely on any issue. The limit posed upon the expression of any democratic demand is where violence begins and where others' rights are violated. Our students should be able to declare their opinions through democratic ways unless they harm the environment and act violently”.

Ozcan said: “universities should be centers of free thought. All our efforts are oriented in this direction. The atmosphere of a free academy should certainly be assured. We should not be afraid of ideas. On the contrary, we should encourage students to develop ideas. It should be remebered that children are our future”.

Hacettepe University stepped back
Immediately after the statement of Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, Chairman of the Higher Education Council, was reflected on the press, administration of the Hacettepe University withdrew the enquiries opened against 20 students supporting TEKEL workers.

According to the news released today by the newspaper Aksam, enquiries launched on the grounds that students have organized political meetings, opened stands and arranged film displays as well as the enquiries against the students who gave support to TEKEL workers were decided to be withdrawn at the meeting held yesterday by the university administration. The decision is to be notified to the students today and the process of statement giving shall be canceled.

Ozcan, Chairman of the Higher Education Council, is claimed to have asked on the phone to the university authorities the situation of the students against whom enquiries were opened, but have not made a demand for the withdrawal of the enquiries, and have thanked the university authorities after he learned about the decision taken.

(soL- News Desk)

Photo: Ali Öz