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.
Professor Abdolreza Ghanbari completed a PhD in Persian language and literature and has taught this subject in high schools and at Payame Nour University. We understand that his only political activity was to belong to a trade union that had been dissolved in 2007. Ghanbari was sentenced to death on January 30, 2010 on charges of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) for allegedly participating … continue reading >>
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 >>
CCS joined other human rights organizations in writing to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran urging him to overturn the harsh and degrading sentence given to Bahman Ahamdi Amouee, a respected Iranian journalist and economist. Mr. Amouee was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison and 34 lashes for "anti-state activities." He has been in prison … continue reading >>
According to an August 21 press statement by Victoria Nuland of the US Department of State, 36 universities in Iran have banned women from studying in 77 critical fields, including nuclear physics, computer science, engineering and education. The Committee of Concerned Scientists urges the Iranian government to lift these restrictions. … 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 >>
Chinese authorities prevented Gu Chuan, a blogger and editor, from traveling to the US to accept Columbia University's invitation as a visiting scholar. According to Scholars at Risk, the reason was another Chinese individual's critical remarks while visiting the US. CCS protested this double violation of international protection of travel and speech. … continue reading >>
Professor Abdolreza Ghanbari completed a PhD in Persian language and literature and has taught this subject in high schools and at Payame Nour University. CCS understands that his only political activity was to belong to a trade union that had been dissolved in 2007. Ghanbari was sentenced to death on January 30, 2010 on charges of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) for allegedly participating … continue reading >>
The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI, established by the Bahraini government to investigate the aftermath of last year's protests in Bahrain) documented numerous instances of human rights violations against academics and students. Scholars at Risk (SAR), an international network of universities and colleges, recently called upon authorities in Bahrain to implement all of the … continue reading >>
Maxwell Dlamini, President of the National Union of Students of Swaziland, was reported arrested and possibly tortured, in violation of international human rights conventions agreed to by his country's government. CCS calls for his release. … 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 >>
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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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