Reem Mohamed Desouky, a teacher in Pennsylvania, was arrested in Egypt for criticizing the Egyptian government on social media. It is unclear if charges have been filed, but she is currently being detained in prison. CCS is writing the President of the United States requesting his involvement in freeing a U.S. citizen. ... Continue Reading>>
Doctoral Student, Walid Salem, arrested in Egypt While Doing Research
Walid Salem, an Egyptian Doctoral student, studying in the United States at the University of Washington, was in Egypt working on research for his degree when he was arrested in Cairo. He was charged with spreading false news and belonging to a terrorist group. His arrest occurred after interviewing a well-known college professor about judicial independence. It appears that he is being ... Continue Reading>>
Egyptian-Born US Physics Teacher Facing Deportation/Death Due to US Immigratiton Policies
Ahmed Abdelbasit, an Egyptian-born physics teacher in New Jersey, faces deportation and a death penalty should he be returned to Egypt. Abdelbasit has no criminal record and has requested asylum in the United States. He has now been detained by ICE agents. CCS has contacted the Secretary of Homeland Security requesting clarification as to the reasons that a law abiding asylum seeker would be ... Continue Reading>>
Ismail Serageldin, Founder and Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Jailed in Egypt
The founder and former Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, was sentenced to jail for seemingly minor offenses that appear baseless. CCS has written the President of Egypt asking that he review this case and release Dr. Serageldin as quickly as possible. Many other human rights organizations as well as many Nobel Laureates have sent letters in his support as well. ... Continue Reading>>
Ahmed Amin Ghazali Amin, University Student in Egypt, Held in Solitary Awaiting Appeal for Death Sentence for Membership in Muslim Brotherhood
Ahmed Amin Ghazali Amin, a student at Menoufia University, has been held for over a year in solitary confinement as he awaits the results of his appeal of a death sentence. Amin was tried by a military court in Egypt, convicted of membership in the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in Egypt, as well as possession of weapons and classified information. UN Standard Minimum Rules for the ... Continue Reading>>
2015 Annual Report
During 2015, the Committee of Concerned Scientists continued to advocate on behalf of scientists, academics, engineers and physicians. We wrote in concern for more than 21 individuals or groups of individuals, located in 11 countries. We generally addressed our letters to the heads of state, as well as to the country’s ambassadors, the United States ambassador for the particular jurisdiction, ... Continue Reading>>
Death Sentence in Absentia of Egyptian Scholar Called Baseless
More than 40 academic colleagues of political science professor Emad el-Din Shahin signed an open letter of protest against an Egyptian court's death sentence, handed down in a mass trial that lacked all elements of due process. CCS joined what appeared to be retaliation for Shahin's pro-democracy stance. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Arab Republic of Egypt c/o Embassy of Egypt to the United ... Continue Reading>>
2014 Annual Report
During 2014, the Committee of Concerned Scientists continued to advocate on behalf of scientists, academics, engineers and physicians. We wrote in concern for more than 30 individuals or groups of individuals, located in 11 countries. We generally addressed our letters to the heads of state, as well as to the ministries or local authorities with jurisdiction over the case when we were able to ... Continue Reading>>
Professors Arrested in Egypt
According to news reports, Professors Mostafa Zidan and Magdy Khalifa were arrested in Egypt on charges of belonging to the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Both academics are on hunger strikes in protest of their conditions, including ill treatment and harsh conditions. The allegation of harsh treatment and the resulting hunger strikes seem to imply that rights have not been granted, rights which ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Protests Lack of Due Process In
Long Detention of Former Morsi Official
Khaled al-Quzzaz, an engineer and educator, was foreign relations secretary to former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. After Morsi was deposed by the Egyptian military, al-Quazzaz was arrested. He has been imprisoned in maximum security for over a year, over half of that in solitary confinement. We asked for the Egyptian government to provide him with due process, a fair trial and access to ... Continue Reading>>