Political scientist Füsun Üstel, a professor who retired from Galatasaray University in Istanbul, was among the first of 1,128 [2212] scholars to undergo trial for having signed the Academics for Peace Petition, a letter publicized in January 2016 that denounced the Turkish state's violation of the basic rights to life, liberty, and security of civilians in Kurdish cities. Üstel was also the first academic to refuse the legal provision the courts offer when prison sentences are less than two years.

Human Rights Association has released a statement of solidarity for Prof. Dr. Füsun Üstel, the first Academic for Peace whose prison sentence has been upheld: “We call the national and international academic community to stand against this injustice.”

The Human Rights Association (İHD) and the Union of Political Science Graduates of Ankara University have denounced the 15-month prison sentence of Prof. Dr. Füsun Üstel recently upheld by the court of appeal.

At the İstanbul 25th Heavy Penal Court, the prosecutor has announced his opinion as to the accusations and demanded that two academics be penalized on charge of “knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization a non-member.”

Trial of academics, who have been charged with "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" for having signed the declaration entitled "We will not be a party to this crime" prepared by the Academics for Peace, continued in İstanbul Çağlayan Courthouse today (March 7).

"Bir belgesel sinemacı olarak gördüğümü söylemek ve yansıtmak benim için sadece bir meslek değil aynı zamanda da bir yaşam biçimi. Aynı şekilde öğrencilerime de doğru, dürüst ve barışçıl insanlar olmaları yönünde yol göstermeye çabalarım."

Belgesel sinemacı Öğr. Gör. Didem Pekün'ün Barış İçin Akademisyenler'in "Bu suça ortak olmayacağız" bildirisini imzalaması sebebiyle "Terör örgütü propagandası" iddiasıyla Çağlayan'daki İstanbul Adliyesi'nde 26. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi'nde yargılandığı davadaki beyanını yayınlıyoruz.