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 recommendations the Commission in this respect. CCS had advocated on behalf of several of the academics cited by Scholars at Risk (Drs. Al-Singace and Masaud Jahromi.) Because of its extensive and thorough discussion of this important issue, we quote the SAR report in full.
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Scholars at Risk respectfully urges Bahrain to reinstate professors, students, Scholars at Risk Network, February 14, 2012
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An Update on Professor Jahromi in Bahrain
CCS Cites Recent Report of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in Dr. Jahromi’s Case
UPDATE: On February 20, 2012, we welcomed the news that Dr. Jahromi has been reinstated on the faculty of Ahlia University, although not in his former position as Chair of the Department of Telecommunication Engineering.
Scholars at Risk respectfully urges Bahrain to reinstate professors, students
Publication: SAR Press Release
February 14, 2012: Scholars at Risk (SAR) respectfully calls upon authorities in Bahrain on the anniversary of the 2011 public protests to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and to take additional steps to protect the higher education sector.
Scholars at Risk is an international network of over 270 universities and colleges in 34 countries dedicated to promoting academic freedom and its constituent freedoms of thought, opinion, expression, association and travel. In cases involving alleged infringement of these freedoms, SAR intervenes hoping to clarify and resolve matters favorably. SAR has been monitoring events in Bahrain since protests that took place in February and March 2011. SAR has been especially concerned by the reports of infringements of academic freedom and human rights directed against professors, students, and staff at higher education institutions in Bahrain. SAR respectfully calls upon authorities in Bahrain:
- to urge Bahraini university leaders to reinstate professors and higher education professionals dismissed in connection with last year’s protests, especially Professor Masaud Jahromi, former Chairman of the Telecommunication Engineering Department at Ahlia University;
- to implement the BICI’s recommendations regarding the investigation into the treatment of students and reinstatement of students who were expelled;
- to intervene to ensure the well-being of all scholars, professors, students, writers and other public intellectuals still in detention, pending their earliest release, including ensuring regular access to the legal counsel of their choosing, to family and to medical treatment, especially in the cases of Professor Abduljalil Al-Singace and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb, President of the Bahrain Teachers Association;
- to ensure that any hearings and appeals in cases of scholars, higher education professionals and students are addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process and fair trial, in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under international law; and
- to guarantee the right to academic freedom, including its constituent freedoms of thought, opinion, expression, association and travel, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 26 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Bahrain has acceded.
…Continue reading on the SAR Network website