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| Jülide Yazıcı |
She's been accused of "spreading terrorist propaganda," but the only crime the public thinks she committed is being an optimistic, naive young adult. Seven thousand people have signed a petition calling for her release. She's not just a philosophy student anymore, she's the Turkish face of Academics for Peace. She represents everyone who have lost their jobs or been forced into hiding.
Most signatories have remained silent on the issue since government's backlash. Jülide was detained for criticizing the government response on social media, after all. Although the signatories have reason to afraid, outsiders on social media are demanding justice. #JülideYazıcıyaÖzgürlük (#FreedomforJulideYazıcı) was trending on twitter last month.
#JülideYazıcı, #ÇağrıKurt, #HişyarAydın, #HejaTürk ve tüm tutuklu öğrenciler derhal serbest bırakılsın! pic.twitter.com/yhVN2colCL— İşçi Cephesi (@iscicephesi) February 6, 2016
Initially, the academics were calling for the "punishment of those responsible for human rights violations," and for journalists to be allowed to "monitor and report on the incidents of violence."
The letter quotes the Amnesty International statistic of 200,000 people living under 24 hour curfews, with many unable to access food, medical care, or clean water. 162 people, including 32 children, have died under these curfews, either from starvation, lack of medical care, or violence.
The language choice (especially the English translation) is abrasive. But I trust Amnesty International and the few videos being smuggled out of Eastern Turkey.
"We, as academics and researchers working on and/or in Turkey, declare that we will not be a party to this massacre by remaining silent and demand an immediate end to the violence perpetrated by the state."
The fiery language used in the initial Academics for peace letter has faded into calls for mercy.
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