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>>
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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>>
Eugene Chudnovsky, Co-Chair of Board, The Committee of Concerned Scientists Participates in Podcast of Scientists v. Power
ABC’s Podcast “RN” ran a story by Natasha Mitchell on the impact that dictatorial rulers have on scientists. The article interviews several scientists, one of which is CCS’ Board Co-Chair and Professor of Physics, Eugene Chudnovsky. The article examines scientists who have been locked up for their studies and discoveries dating back from Socrates to a more recent case of a young Iranian ... Continue Reading>>
59 Year-Old Electrical Engineer Confined in Jail for Four Years – Hearings Re-Scheduled 20 Times, Finally Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Dr. Khalil al-Halwachi, a Bahraini electrical engineer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for nonviolent expressive and associative activity. Professor al-Halwachi was arrested in September 2014 because of his association with a political group. However, his charges did not relate to the group or his involvement with them. He was charged with “possession of a firearm,” which was found ... Continue Reading>>
Social Science Researcher and Anthropologist, Dr. Stella Nyanzi, at Makerere University in Uganda, Was Arrested and Charged for Criticizing the President and His Wife on Facebook
Dr. Stella Nyanzi, a Professor at Makerere University in Uganda, was arrested and charged under the Computer Misuse Act of 2011 for insulting the President on Facebook. Dr. Nyanzi was advocating that schools supply sanitary pads to girls so that they may attend school during their menstrual cycle. Many girls were not showing up in school to avoid embarrassment. The President was not a ... Continue Reading>>