Colombia University effectively canceled a panel discussion on Turkey two days before the event, citing “academic standards.”
Steven A. Cook, one of the panelists and a senior fellow for Middle East & Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, has tweeted that the decision was made after “the university came under pressure form Turkish government.
“Disappointed to learn that @Columbia ‘s Provost effectively canceled this panel two days before the event, citing “academic standards.” One can only assume that the university came under pressure form the govt of #Turkey and its supporters. Terrible precedent,” Cook tweeted.
The panel discussion was about the Turkish governments increasing authoritarian tendencies and human rights violations in the country since a coup attmept on July 15, 2016.
Daniel Balson invited the university administratrion to explain “what (specifically) about this panel does not meet its “academic standards.”
“This is stunning – @Columbia should be pressed to explain what (specifically) about this panel does not meet its “academic standards”. If they think the facts are wrong they should publicly correct. Too serious a precedent to ignore. @KachaniS, @ColumbiaVPTL @ColumbiaSpec,” Balson tweeted.
This is stunning – @Columbia should be pressed to explain what (specifically) about this panel does not meet its "academic standards". If they think the facts are wrong they should publicly correct. Too serious a precedent to ignore. @KachaniS, @ColumbiaVPTL @ColumbiaSpec https://t.co/VGzso0MHv5
— Daniel Balson (@EurasiaView) April 3, 2019
Disappointed to learn that @Columbia 's Provost effectively canceled this panel two days before the event, citing "academic standards." One can only assume that the university came under pressure form the govt of #Turkey and its supporters. Terrible precedent. pic.twitter.com/c2gMoGVRAG
— Steven A. Cook (@stevenacook) April 3, 2019
