The Center for Human Rights in Iran reported that "forced confessions to validate the prosecution of individuals that (Iran) has no evidence against has been used for decades." The CHRI is calling for an immediate suspension of Dr. Djalali's death sentence and a judicial review of his case that fully incorporates due process. The article by ... Continue Reading>>
Our Work
CCS’ Written Testimony on Academic Situation in Turkey for Helsinki Commission Hearing
In November 2017, the Committee of Concerned Scientists, was invited to attend a hearing on the status of academics in Turkey by the Helsinki Commission. CCS submitted testimony for the written record at that time. Below is our testimony:November 15, 2017 November 15, 2017 Statement on Status of Academics and Scientists in Turkey ... Continue Reading>>
Organizations Across the Globe Call on Iran to Reverse Death Sentence for Ahmadreza Djalali
Many organizations have called on the Iranian government and President Rouhani to reconsider the death sentence for Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali. Dr. Djalali is a physician and professor of Emergency and Disaster Medicine. He was arrested in Iran while conducting a training to which he had been invited (and had done on other occasions, without incident). He was accused of espionage and held for long ... Continue Reading>>
Engineering Professor Jailed in Sudan Pardoned
Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, an Engineering Professor at the University of Khartoum, was pardoned after an eight-month period of incarceration where he was charged with spying and treason. Dr. Adam and five other human rights activists received pardons from the President Omar al-Bashir. CCS had sent a letter to President al-Bashir, in July 2017, requesting his review of the case, release of ... Continue Reading>>
Gulmen Granted Conditional Release, Ozakca Acquitted – Turkish Professor and Teacher Who Had Been on a Hunger Strike After Termination of Employment
Nuriye Gulmen a 35-year old Turkish literature professor lost her job after the Turkish coup attempt and began a 269-day hunger strike with her spouse who had also been terminated as a teacher. Gulmen had been hospitalized before her trial began as her health had seriously deteriorated. She was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for "membership in an armed terror group," referring ... Continue Reading>>
Faces of Arrested Turkish Academics
Some of the cases of academics who have been arrested either for signing the Peace Petition or for their alleged involvement in the Coup attempt (all have denied such charges) are below. Many have lost their jobs, been arrested and are unable to provide for their families. Some stories are below: Istanbul 10: Peaceful human rights advocates (one being the Director of Amnesty ... Continue Reading>>
Turkish Academics Who Signed the Peace Petition Going to Court as Terrorists
Articles Related to Status of Turkish Academics: Academics on Trial for Peace Declaration (The Media Line, December 15, 2017, Nick Ashdown) - http://www.themedialine.org/news/turkey-terrorist-academics-trial-peace-declaration/ Last week trials began of those who signed the Academics for Peace Petition. 148 trials are scheduled through May 2018. Each signer is being tried individually, 10 ... Continue Reading>>
Dr. Djalali’s Appeal Never Submitted By His Lawyer At Direction of the Judge
Following the dismissal of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali's attorney and the appointment of a defense attorney at the instruction of the Court, Dr. Djalali was sentenced to death. At that time, he was given 20 days to appeal his sentence. His family was informed that the appeal had been submitted to the Court in a timely manner. Two days ago, the attorney informed the family that Dr. Djalali's ... Continue Reading>>
Peace Petition Signatories Call for Solidarity as First Trials Begin
Before the failed coup attempt academics throughout Turkey signed a "Peace Petition" calling for better treatment of the Kurds. There was an immediate response from the government that began as investigations into the signers, followed by many being suspended or terminated from their positions at their institutions. Following the coup attempt the signers of the Peace Petition were included in the ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Requesting Saudi Arabia to Review Sentence for Mohammad Al-Qathani
Economics Professor who co-founded the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association that encourages the Saudi Kingdom to comply with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Professor al-Qathani, after a 10-year travel ban, was convicted of planting seeds of sedition, breaking allegiance with the ruler, defaming the judiciary and turning ... Continue Reading>>