Dr. Yang Shaozheng, an Economics professor at the Institute of Economics at Guizhou University, had his classes cancelled without explanation and has been questioned on several occasions by the city police in connection to his writings. CCS urges an end to the harassment of Professor Shaozheng, a return to his classes and to protect his right to pursue his scholarship freely and ... Continue Reading>>
Ilham Tohti To Receive the Weimar Human Rights Award
The City of Weimar awards a Human Rights award annually. This year the City of Weimar, in Germany, decided to award the prize to Ilham Tohti for advocating for peaceful co-existence between the Uighur, Hans and all other ethnic group communities in China. As a result of his continually addressing this issue and pointing out the poor treatment of the Uighur community, Dr. Tohti was arrested, ... Continue Reading>>
CCS, With Others Across the World, Mourns the Death of Chinese Dissident, Liu Xiaobo
The Committee of Concerned Scientists mourns the death of Chinese Dissident, Liu Xiaobo from Liver Cancer. The following PBS article, noting the views of many human rights groups expresses the loss well: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/liu-xiaobo-nobel-laureate-chinese-dissident-dies-61/ ... Continue Reading>>
Deng Xiaochao, Art Professor in China, Removed From Position for Criticizing Mao Zedong on Public Blog
Professor Deng Xiaochao, a 62-year-old art professor at the Shandong Jianzhu University, was fired for posting a statement on the microblog, Weibo, criticizing Mao Zedong. Xiaochao has the right to express himself peacefully - that is an admirable trait for teachers of higher learning. CCS has written to the Chancellor of the university requesting Xiaochao’s reinstatement and the authority to ... Continue Reading>>
Li Heping, Attorney for Ilham Tohti, Suffering Medical Complications
It has been communicated to CCS that Li Heping, human rights attorney for Ilham Tohti, now serving time himself for human rights work, allegedly has been tortured and is suffering from medical complications as a result. Additionally, Li is also in need of adequate legal counsel. CCS has requested that he receive appropriate medical care and legal representation of his choosing. February 7, ... Continue Reading>>
Ilham Tohti, Peaceful Advocate for Uighur Community, Wins Martin Ennals Award; also a Finalist for Sakharov Prize
Ilham Tohti, a peaceful advocate of China’s Uighur community, currently serving a life sentence in a Chinese prison, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders by a group of human rights organizations; Tohti was also a finalist for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov prize is awarded annually by the European Parliament to honor individuals and ... Continue Reading>>
Chinese Human Rights Activist Attorney Released After Issuing Coerced Confession
Embed from Getty Images The Committee of Concerned Scientists welcomes the release on bail of the Chinese human rights lawyer, Wang Yu. We commend Wang Yu for her work on defending freedom of speech in China and express our sympathy to her in connection with the pressure she endured in prison. We respectfully ask Chinese authorities that all charges against Wang Yu be dropped at this ... Continue Reading>>
Wang Yu, Human Rights Attorney Awaiting Trial in China, Receiving ABA Award
American Bar Association earlier this month announced it is giving the organization’s first ever “International Human Rights Award” to Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Yu. CCS has advocated for Wang Yu’s release since she was detained in June 2015. Wang Yu and other human rights attorney’s were picked up by authorities a year ago and detained with no charges in undetermined places. Recently, ... Continue Reading>>
Human Rights Attorneys Charged with “Subversion of State Power”
Wang Yu and Li Heping are human rights attorneys in China who have defended scholars and academics whom CCS has also advocated for. Both attorneys were detained in 2015 and have been held incommunicado for almost a year. They have both, now, been charged with "subversion of state power". The charge could carry as much as a life sentence in a Chinese prison. CCS has written on behalf of these ... Continue Reading>>
Wife of Jailed Uyghur Scholar Faces Severe Hardship
Embed from Getty Images The wife of Ilham Tohti, an Economics Professor and an advocate for the Uyghur community in China, is facing a life sentence for speaking out for Uyghur rights in a peaceful way. She is also facing severe financial hardship. Related Articles Family of Jailed Uyghur Scholar Faces Severe Hardship, Social Isolation ... Continue Reading>>