Nuriye Gülmen, an academic, and Semih Özakça, a primary school teacher, are two among tens of thousands of public employees who have been arbitrarily and unlawfully dismissed by decree law from their positions since the imposition of State of Emergency rule in Turkey on July 20, 2016.

Demanding their jobs back, they began their sit-in protest on Yüksel Street in central Ankara in November 2016. Following several police attacks and detentions, on March 11, 2017, they began their hunger strike.

Today, May 9, 2017, is the 62nd day of their hunger strike. The government continues to remain indifferent to their rightful demands. Their hunger strike has entered a critical stage, and Nuriye Gülmen had to be taken home yesterday, when her blood pressure dropped severely (https://twitter.com/seyrisokak/status/861630239323156481).

It is imperative that we lend our voice to their rightful demands, and support Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça to secure their reinstatement to their jobs. Several Academics for Peace have already initiated a hunger strike on a rotating basis to display their solidarity with Gülmen and Özakça, and make their voice heard.

At this critical stage, time is of absolute essence.

TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE!

It is time for the international community to raise its voice for the struggle of Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça!

Sign the petition and tell the government of Turkey to reinstate Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça to their jobs.

If you are in a position to do so, ask your local Member of Parliament to bring up this urgent matter in your national parliament, or at international platforms your country is a member of.

On social media, support the hashtag #NuriyeAndSemihAreNotAlone to spread the news, call for solidarity, and ask the government of Turkey to listen to their demands!

You can also contact the Turkish embassy in your country. To find the contact numbers and addresses of the Turkish embassies visit: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/yurtdisi-teskilati.tr.mfa