An appeals court overturned a manslaughter conviction of six Italian scientists and one government employee on November 10, 2017 that they had failed to predict in March 2009. After assuring the community that the earthquake was not coming, it actually did one week later. In October 2012 the seven members of a study commission regarding the earthquake were found guilty of manslaughter. The ... Continue Reading>>
Our Work
Economics Professor at Guizhou University – Classes Cancelled – No Explanation
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>>
US Stony Brook Professor Arrested in Cameroon for Facebook Post Insulting President and Army
Dr. Patrice Nganang, a novelist and professor of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature at Stony Brook University in the United States has been arrested in Cameroon for a Facebook post critical of the government policies in the Anglophone region. He is being held in a maximum security prison in Yaounde. He is being held for peacefully exercising his right to free expression. CCS has ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Requests Charges Be Dismissed Against Serdar Kuni, Imprisoned for Treating “Militants” In Turkey
Dr. Serdar Kuni was sentenced to 4 years in prison for what appears to be providing medical care to those in need, as required of all physicians. Dr. Kuni is the representative in Cizre of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey. He has been released pending his appeal, but what is required is that he be released and charges be dropped. December 23, 2017 Mr. Bekir Bozdağ Minister of ... Continue Reading>>
UN Human Rights Experts Call on Iran to Nullify Djalali’s Sentence and Release Him
United Nations human rights experts have called on Iran to reverse the death sentence of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali and to release him, finding the deprivation of his liberty arbitrary. The experts deplored the public airing of Dr. Djalali’s apparent “confession”, especially in the light of the coercion allegations, and are concerned by the lack of information available during the trial and apparent ... Continue Reading>>
Forced Confessions of Innocents Common Practice in Iran Says The Center for Human Rights in Iran
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>>
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>>