Turkish Government’s violations of academic freedom at Boğaziçi University and undermining of the European Research Area

15.2.2022

Question for written answer  E-000655/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christian Ehler (PPE), David Lega (PPE), Michael Gahler (PPE)

The Turkish Government is actively undermining academic freedom and institutional autonomy at Boğaziçi University. Two examples are the political appointment of the rector of the university and the recent arbitrary removal of three elected professors from their deanships. These attacks on fundamental values of the European Research Area are not compatible with the spirit of Turkey’s association agreement to Horizon Europe, which gives Turkey a seat at the table in the European Research Area. The Union cannot stand idly by in the face of these developments. We therefore ask the Commission:

• 1.Does it recognise that the Turkish Government is attacking academic freedom and institutional autonomy at Boğaziçi University, and what is the Commission doing to promote academic freedom in Turkey, as stipulated by recital 72 of the Horizon Europe Regulation[1]?
• 2.Will it address this issue in all forums for exchange on science and research between the Commission and the Turkish authorities, including the EU-Turkish Joint Research and Innovation Committee, the Horizon Europe Programme Committees and the European Research Area Committee?
• 3.Will it reconsider the association agreement with Turkey or withhold Union funds from the Turkish Government in order to protect academic freedom in Turkey?

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1.