Investigation launched into nearly 5,000 teachers in Turkey’s southeast

DİYARBAKIR – Doğan News Agency

An investigation has been launched into 4,900 teachers who participated in a work stoppage action in December 2015 in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, where clashes between the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Turkish security forces have continued for months. 

The teachers, whose testimonies were taken, are members of the Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim-Sen), Doğan News Agency reported on April 24.

“The teachers, who are providing education in difficult conditions due to what is happening in the region, are incapacitated via these investigations,” said Nuri Özdemir, the secretary of Eğitim-Sen Branch No. 1, adding that the quality of education decreased as a result of the “tragicomic” investigations. 

The investigations were opened over three separate incidents on Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 29, 2015, said the head of Eğitim-Sen Branch No. 1, İkram Atabay. 

“We have 9,950 members in Diyarbakır. The acts were brought to life in accordance with the union activities and the decisions made by the head office. Union activities are secured under the International Labor Organization [ILO] agreement,” said Atabay.