Epistemicide: Turkish scholars rap aggression on Iranian universities
A group of 239 prominent Turkish academics said in a joint statement reported Saturday by Iran’s Student Affairs Organization that recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian universities and research centers constitute “epistemicide,” condemning the attacks as violations of international law and assaults on humanity’s intellectual heritage.
The signatories described universities as inviolable sanctuaries and said targeting educational infrastructure breaches conventions that protect civilian and scientific sites during conflict, ILNA reported.
They warned that attacks on campuses and intimidation of Iranian scientists risk militarizing academia and eroding global scholarly security.
The statement called on UNESCO and the United Nations to roll out an emergency protection mechanism for universities in war zones, framing the issue as an urgent governance gap in international safeguards.
It also criticized what it termed Western academia’s silence, arguing that selective outrage over the destruction of scientific infrastructure undermines institutional credibility and public trust.
In a sharp escalation of pressure, the academics urged suspending research ties with Israeli institutions linked to military technologies and advocated excluding pro-war entities from conferences hosted in Turkey.
Closing with a show of solidarity, the group said Turkish universities stand ready to absorb displaced Iranian researchers and students, proposing a network of “emergency academic bridges” to keep joint projects operational.
The body said the initiative is notable for its breadth, with many signatories drawn from leading Turkish universities and identifying as liberal, non-political scholars.
The statement further urged Ankara to elevate the immunity of scientific centers in wartime as a core agenda item at upcoming diplomatic forums, including the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Since the war began on February 28, 2026, at least 30 Iranian universities and research facilities have been hit, according to reports cited in the statement.