Committee of Concerned Scientists
We are scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of colleagues around the world.
CCS has received a number of complaints concerning imprisonment and prosecution of Turkish academics that seem to lack due process and regard for freedom of expression in each case. Professors Haberal and Hilmioglu. still in jail and in ill health, have been threatened with life sentences. Pinar Selek, a writer and scholar, was imprisoned, tortured and sentenced in absentia to aggravated life … continue reading >>
US Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr. commented on the Turkish court system during an interview with Turkish journalists this week. He specifically mentioned the Kemal Gürüz case. See the last four paragraphs of the following article: Turkey, US to step up legal case against terror (Hurriyet Daily News) As reported in the Hurriyet Daily News, "Ricciardone criticized the fact that in … continue reading >>
On September 2, 2012, Professor Halil Kemal Gürüz's family reported that he had suffered chest pains in his prison cell. He was transferred to intensive care in a hospital and an angiography was performed for blockage of one of his arteries. He is now back in prison. We are deeply concerned that continued imprisonment presents serious threats to a man of his age and condition. We urge … continue reading >>
In July, we protested the arrest of one of Turkey’s most prominent academic reformers, Kemal Gürüz, who was arrested and jailed for the second time based on charges of participation in a 1997 plot. He is a retired chemical engineer and former president of both the Turkish of Higher Education Council (YÖK) and the Turkish science-funding agency TÜBITAK. The move was condemned by human-rights … continue reading >>
One of Turkey's most prominent academic reformers, Kemal Gürüz, was arrested and jailed for the second time based on charges of participation in a 1997 plot. He is a retired chemical engineer and former president of both the Turkish of Higher Education Council (YÖK) and the Turkish science-funding agency TÜBITAK.The move was condemned by human-rights activists and some Turkish scientists, who … continue reading >>
CCS welcomes the news from Scholars at Risk informing us that Professor Busra Ersanli of Turkey was released from prison on Friday, July 13, 2012. Reports indicate that charges against Professor Ersanli remain and that the trial will continue on October 1. Professor Ersanli, a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Marmara University in Istanbul, was arrested on October 28, … continue reading >>
The arrest and detention of Turkish engineer Dr. Faruk Yarman, based on the Turkish Government's trial of an alleged conspiracy dating back to 2003, seems to violate due process as required under international law. CCS urges authorities in Turkey to ensure that Dr. Yarman is entitled to access to counsel and family while imprisoned and to early release under bail or bond, since he has not been … continue reading >>
CCS wrote to the president of Turkey, Abdullah Güll, asking him to intervene in the case of Dr. Büsra Ersanlı, a professor who is also a member of a political party that is allegedly linked by association to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a banned party in Turkey. Dr. Ersanli denies this allegation. Absent any additional or contrary information, the facts appear to indicate that Professor … continue reading >>
We urge the signing of this petition for the release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu for health reasons pending the outcome of their trials. To: His Excellency Abdullah Gul, President of the Republic of Turkey This petition is sponsored by the Committee of Concerned Scientists — an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and … continue reading >>
The government of Turkey issued a decree in August that would strip the Academy of its autonomy by having political bodies appoint most of its members and making its presidency a government-appointed position. The Committee of Concerned Scientists wrote to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan supporting the action of other science academies in support of the Academy's autonomy … continue reading >>
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In July, we protested the arrest of one of Turkey’s most prominent academic reformers, Kemal Gürüz, who was arrested and jailed for the second … continue reading >>
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