Dr. Merera Gudina, former professor of political science at Addis Ababa University and chair of the Oromo Federalist Congress will return to court for a verdict ruling on charges related to his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association on July 7, 2017. July 5, 2017 Hailemariam Dessalegn FDRE Prime Minister Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 122 ... Continue Reading>>
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Law Student, Jatupat Boonpattararaksa at Khon Kaen University, Detained Five Months for Facebook Post
Jatupat (“Pai”) Boonpattararaksa, law school student at Khon Kaen University has been detained since December (and can receive up to a 15 year sentence) for a Facebook post that was insulting to the monarch. Pai has been denied bail because the post was not removed. Pai has been continually subjected to internal searches and there is concern that he is at risk of torture or other ... Continue Reading>>
Ahmed Amin Ghazali Amin, University Student in Egypt, Held in Solitary Awaiting Appeal for Death Sentence for Membership in Muslim Brotherhood
Ahmed Amin Ghazali Amin, a student at Menoufia University, has been held for over a year in solitary confinement as he awaits the results of his appeal of a death sentence. Amin was tried by a military court in Egypt, convicted of membership in the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in Egypt, as well as possession of weapons and classified information. UN Standard Minimum Rules for the ... Continue Reading>>
Deng Xiaochao, Art Professor in China, Removed From Position for Criticizing Mao Zedong on Public Blog
Professor Deng Xiaochao, a 62-year-old art professor at the Shandong Jianzhu University, was fired for posting a statement on the microblog, Weibo, criticizing Mao Zedong. Xiaochao has the right to express himself peacefully - that is an admirable trait for teachers of higher learning. CCS has written to the Chancellor of the university requesting Xiaochao’s reinstatement and the authority to ... Continue Reading>>
Esmail Abdi, Former Mathematics Teacher and Former Secretary General of the Iranian Teachers’ Union Now Serving 6 Years in Evin Prison
Esmail Abdi, the former Secretary General of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association is serving a six year sentence in Evin Prison charged with “propaganda against the state” and “collusion against national security.” Dr. Abdi has been denied an attorney during the investigatory phase of his trial. He is being detained for peaceful political and trade union activities. Recently, Dr. Abdi’s ... Continue Reading>>
Retired Professor in Ukraine Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Political Beliefs
Ihor Kozlovsky, a 63-year-old retired professor of anthropology and humanities at Donetsk University, was convicted of weapons possession and sentenced by a military tribunal to over two years in prison. Dr. Kozlovsky denies the weapons charge, which was described as two pipes, and indicates that he is being detained for his peaceful political beliefs. June 1, 2017 Aleksandr ... Continue Reading>>
Professor Threatened in Her Home for Involvement Documenting Rape by Security Forces
CCS has written the Prime Minister of India requesting his assistance in assuring safety for Dr. Bela Bhatia, a well-known academic, researcher and writer with a Ph.D. from Cambridge. Dr. Bhatia has been studying the Naxalite movement in India and in recent years has been involved in a fact-finding effort to document gang rapes and sexual assaults on Adivasi women by security forces. On January ... Continue Reading>>
Engineer Arrested at Worksite During Meeting With Contractors in Bahrain
Sayed Alawi Hussain al-Alawi, a telecom engineer with Batelco, was arrested on October 24 while meeting with other engineers and contractors at a Batelco worksite. He has not been charged. His spouse has contacted Bahraini authorities but has been unable to determine why he is being held. CCS wrote to the King requesting his assistance in this matter - requesting that al-Alawi be released ... Continue Reading>>
Malaysian Student Arrested for Possession of Books
Siti Noor Aishah Atam, an Islamic Studies graduate student at the Universiti Malaya was convicted and sentenced for the crime of possessing 12 books. She was sentenced to five years in prison. CCS has written to the Prime Minister of Malaysia requesting that he review this case, drop the charges and release Atam. May 24, 2017 Prime Minister Dato' Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun ... Continue Reading>>
Russians Respond to Letter from CCS on Dr. Pivovarov
From the Office of Attorney General of Russian Federation Dmitrovka Street 15a Moscow, Russia 125993 To: Carol Valoris, The Committee of Concerned Scientists Re: Case No. 34/1-175-2017/OH24285-17 The Office of Attorney General of Russian Federation has received the letter from members of your organization regarding persecution of Yu. S. Pivovarov, the former director of the State ... Continue Reading>>