British envoy expresses concern over detention of academics

British envoy expresses concern over detention of academics

ANKARA

British Ambassador to Turkey Richard Moore underlined the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society and especially in education and expressed concern over the investigation carried out against academics who issued a declaration on ongoing operations in the Southeast.

"Like others, I am very concerned to hear reports of academics being suspended and investigated for expressing their views on conflict in Southeast. Freedom of expression is vital in a democratic society, and especially in education. That includes the right to express views we might think are mistaken, or one-sided," Moore said in his statement.

Detentions of numbers of academics because of signing a declaration criticizing the government on ongoing terror operations in the Southeast Anatolia caused reactions in the international community.