Summary: Ahmed Samir Santawy, a Master’s student in Sociology and Social Anthropology at Central European University in Vienna, Austria has been detained since February 2021 and was sentenced in June to four years in prison. It appears that his sentence may be in retaliation for his work with women’s rights. ... Continue Reading>>
Our Work
Australian Economist and Advisor to Myanmar Government Detained After Defeat of Aung San Suu Kyi
Sean Turnell, Australian Economist was charged with breaking a colonial-era law known as the “official Secrets Act” after the defeat of Aung San Suu Kyi, for whom Turnell served as a consultant. Australian government has called for his release. His father is dying of cancer and Turnell wants to be with him. Additionally, remaining confined opens Turnell to COVID as other prisoners have ... Continue Reading>>
Shakespearean Scholar Fired/Loses Tenure for Criticizing University’s Response to Claims of Sexual Harrassment and Anti-Semitic Statements
Linfield University’s Professor of Shakespeare Studies is fired for criticising the university’s handling of sexual harrassment allegations and for anti-semitic statements made by university leadership. ... Continue Reading>>
Updated Information on Ahmadreza Djalali’s Situation in Iranian Prison:
· Djalali’s mother passed away after spending days in a hospital Intensive Care Unit suffering from COVID. Djalali’s request to visit his sick mother was denied, as was his request to speak to her by phone. · Djalali has not been allowed to speak with his young children since November 2020. · The European Parliament Passed the following resolution in regard to Djalali during this month ... Continue Reading>>
Rahile Dawut
In September 2018, CCS reported on the case of a missing Uyghur Professor of Anthropology Rahile Dawut who had created and directed the Xinjiang University's Minorities Folklore Research Center. She was one of the first prominent Uyghurs who disappeared on her way to a conference in Beijing in 2017. Akida Polat, Rahile’s daughter, never saw or spoke to her mother again. According to Akida, last ... Continue Reading>>
Gifted Mathematician Sentenced to Six Years for Alleged Act of Vandalism
CCS Is Very Pleased to Report That Tuna Altinel Has Departed From Turkey and Has Arrived Safely at Home in France
Tuna Altınel has returned to Lyon today (Saturday, EST) in the afternoon, after a 2 year harassment by Turkish authorities. This is not the end of his struggle, as Turkey still threatens to cancel his passport. Moreover, as he said before the press, "there are thousands of Tuna Altınels without a support committee." His return was made possible by your mobilization. ... Continue Reading>>
Letter to President Putin from a Prominent Russian Human Rights Defender Who Worked Closely with Andrei Sakharov
The request to stop criminal prosecutions for non-violent actions, to release political prisoners!Open letter to the President of the Russian Federation on the eve ofthe Putin-Biden summit in Geneva on June 16June 10, 202To the President of the Russian FederationV.V. PUTINDear Vladimir Vladimirovich!Just now, on May 21 this year, the 100th anniversary of Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov was celebrated ... Continue Reading>>
Eleven Students and Professor Tried in Belarus for “Violating Public Order”
June 10, 2021 Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko President of the Republic of Belarus Independence Palace, Parspiekt Pieramozcau Avenue Minsk, Republic of Belarus Fax: +375 17 226 06 10 Dear President Lukashenko: The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human ... Continue Reading>>
Wilson Center Issues Statement in Support of Russian Civil Rights Attorney, Ivan Pavlov, Who Was Recently Arrested
Pavlov has been temporarily released, but has been stripped of his right to defend political prisoners, and may soon become one. The Wilson Center strongly condemns the detention of the Russian lawyer and human rights defender Ivan Pavlov on April 30 and the subsequent raid on his offices. Mr. Pavlov has been a stalwart defender of human rights and the rule of law in Russia for decades. He is a ... Continue Reading>>