Committee of Concerned Scientists

An international non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

An independent non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

Our Work

UPDATE: Salma al-Shehab released from Saudi Arabian jail

Leeds University PhD student Salma al-Shehab was imprisoned in 2021 and sentenced to serve 34 years in prison after retweeting some posts that were disliked by the government. She has been released and reunited with her family. Salma al-Shehab was arrested in 2021 on holiday in Saudi Arabia after posting tweets supporting women’s rights. Continue reading... ... Continue Reading>>

Russian-Israeli Princeton doctoral student still held hostage in Iraq

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a doctoral student, has been missing in Iraq since 2023 after being abducted in Baghdad while conducting research for Princeton University. She is being held by the Kata’ib Hezbollah or Hezbollah Brigades. The Committee is concerned about her condition and asks the Iraqi government to find and release her to the United States as soon as possible. Times of Israel January ... Continue Reading>>

Venezuelan professor and human rights activist abducted

Carlos Correa, a renowned professor and researcher at the Human Rights Center of the Andrés Bello Catholic University and Executive Director of the NGO, Espacio Público, was abducted on January 7th by alleged state officials who forced him into an unmarked vehicle, and he has not been seen since. The Committee is concerned and asks the Venezuelan government to disclose his location. Ifex: ... Continue Reading>>

Belarusian State University Lecturer Detained in Azerbaijan

Mr. Igbal Abilov, lecturer at the Belarusian State University in ethnic studies, was recently arrested in Azerbaijan. The Committee is concerned that Abilov’s arrest may be due to his studies into ethnic minorities present in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with academics in Armenia, ahead of COP29 in Baku. He should be released and allowed to return to Belarus, as well as review documents relating ... Continue Reading>>

Narges Mohammadi’s Temporary Medical Release is Grossly Insufficient

Permanent and Unconditional Release of Nobel Peace Laureate Is Critical December 5, 2024 – Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and renowned Iranian human rights defender, has been granted a 21-day medical release from Evin Prison by the Iranian authorities, after repeated denials and delays in receiving critical medical care. This temporary release falls drastically short of ... Continue Reading>>

Human Rights Lawyer Arrested in China

Lu, 51, was en route to be reunited with his family in the United States when he was arrested in Vientiane on July 28, 2023 and forcibly repatriated to China. Upon returning to China, he was charged in the southwestern province of Sichuan with "illegally crossing a border" and released on bail pending trial. He was arrested on October 10, ... Continue Reading>>

Thoracic Surgeon and Researcher Slowly Dying in Prison

Wang Bingzhang is a former surgeon and researcher who wrote pro-democracy literature. He was charged with espionage and with planning an embassy bombing. After being kidnapped abroad and transported to China in 2002, Bingzhang was sentenced to life imprisonment in solitary confinement. He has been sick and alone in prison for 22 years. Schiff letter, Ambassador Fu Cong, Human Rights ... Continue Reading>>

Committee of Concerned Scientists

c/o Alexandra R. Bender, Executive Director
P.O. Box 273
Mountainhome, PA 18342
abender@concernedscientists.org