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>>
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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>>
Raif Badawi Still In Jail in Saudi Arabia for Critical Blog
Raif Badawi still in jail in Saudi Arabia for a blog critical of the Saudi Arabian government. It was a non-violent expression of his opinion that led to a sentence of 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes. The Committee of Concerned Scientists has written the new leader of Saudi Arabia in hopes that he will review the case with new eyes and honor the human rights commitments to which Saudi Arabia is a ... Continue Reading>>
2018 Andrei Sakharov Prize Recipient: Narges Mohammadi
Sitting in Evin Prison in Iran is this year's Andrei Sakharov prize recipient - Narges Mohammadi. Mohammadi was awarded the prize "for her leadership in campaigning for peace, justice and the abolition of the death penalty, as well as her unwavering efforts to promote the human rights and freedoms of the Iranian people, despite persecution that has forced her to suspend her scientific pursuits ... Continue Reading>>
Turkish Academics for Peace Face Court Hearing on December 5 – Being Individually Sued
Many academics in Turkey signed a Peace Petition on January 11 2016, noting that they wanted better treatment for Kurds. More than 500 academics signed the petition. Many of them have, as a result, been terminated from their institutions. Some were dismissed from public service, some were fired outright and others were forced to retire. Four were detained for several weeks. Now most are being ... Continue Reading>>
Ilham Tohti To Receive the Weimar Human Rights Award
The City of Weimar awards a Human Rights award annually. This year the City of Weimar, in Germany, decided to award the prize to Ilham Tohti for advocating for peaceful co-existence between the Uighur, Hans and all other ethnic group communities in China. As a result of his continually addressing this issue and pointing out the poor treatment of the Uighur community, Dr. Tohti was arrested, ... Continue Reading>>
Professor Istar Gozaydin, Turkish Academic/Activist, Awarded Human Rights Award From University of Oslo
The University of Oslo grants the Human Rights Award to "purge-victim academic, Professor Istar Gozaydin." Professor Gozaydin spent 4 months in prison after last year's coup attempt in Turkey. Gozaydin was detained on December 20, 2016 and accused with being part of the Gulen group which was accused as being behind the coup attempt. She was arrested on December 27, 2016. Gozaydin was ... Continue Reading>>