The Turkish Council of Higher Education has forbidden all academics from leaving the state and has called upon Turkish academics abroad to return. The measure was taken in light of the failed military coup of July 15, which led to a large-scale purge of civil servants in Turkish institutions, including universities. In the Netherlands, there are 240 academics and 400 students who have a Turkish passport only. The VSNU, the association of Dutch universities, strongly condemns the call because "science is eminently international." Academics and students should be able to move freely.