Background Briefing

Memorandum to the Turkish Government on Human Rights Watch’s Concerns with Regard to Academic Freedom in Higher Education, and Access to Higher Education for Women who Wear the Headscarf

Human Rights Watch Briefing Paper  (Printer Friendly PDF, 42 pages) [Turkish Translation]

June 29, 2004

Summary

Institutional Autonomy

Headscarf Ban

Developments in May 2004

Human Rights Watch’s Concerns with Regard to Academic Freedom in Higher Education, and Access to Higher Education for Women who Wear the Headscarf

Academic Freedom in Higher Education

Academic Freedom Under International Law

Regulatory Framework of Academic Freedom Under the Turkish Constitution and Law

Impact on free expression and opinion

Impact on institutional autonomy

Assessment of the Draft Laws on Higher Education

Recommendations on Academic Freedom

Access to Higher Education for Women who Wear the Headscarf

The History of the Headscarf Ban and Its Impact On Students and Teachers In Turkey

Impact of the headscarf ban on students

Impact of the headscarf ban on university staff

Turkey’s Headscarf Ban and International Law

Secular Fears and the State’s Failure to Protect Women

Impact of the Draft Law on the Headscarf Issue

Steps to Improve the Draft Law With Respect to the Headscarf Issue: Consultation and a Rights-Based Program

Recommendations Concerning Removal of the Headscarf Ban