Homa Hoodfar, a dual-citizen of Iran and Canada, and a retired professor of Sociology and Anthropology, has been released from Evin prison in Iran, where she was detained since her arrest in June. Professor Hoodfar was charged with “dabbling in feminism” while conducting a research project. In early July, CCS wrote on behalf of Professor Hoodfar requesting her immediate release and that she ... Continue Reading>>
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Mohammad Hossein Rafiee Has Been Released on a Medical Furlough
CCS has been informed that retired Tehran University professor, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Rafiee, has been released from Evin Prison on a Medical Furlough due to poor health. He has been allowed to recuperate at his family’s home. We are all very grateful that he will have a chance for an effective recovery and be allowed to recover fully with appropriate medical care. We also are in support of the ... Continue Reading>>
Bahrainian Engineer Due in Court on September 19 Following Arrest 2 Years Ago
Khalil al-Halwachi, a Bahrainian engineer and human rights activist, was detained in September 2014 and has been confined since that time to date. It is alleged that the authorities came to his home and searched, finding a rifle (that was allegedly planted by those doing the search) which led to allegations of his being a terrorist. Al-Halwachi has been in prison since, in conditions that led to ... Continue Reading>>
Call for Solidarity: 44 Turkish Academics Who Signed the ‘Peace Petition’ Terminated from Their Jobs, Additionally, Over 2300 Turkish Academics Targeted Following Failed Coup
The academics who signed the Peace Petition prior to the coup attempt in Turkey have now been linked by the State with those who perpetrated the Coup. The signers noted they they had nothing to do with the coup, did not agree with it, did not participate in it and that their action well preceded the coup situation. Their petition was done in the open and sent to the authorities. It was not ... Continue Reading>>
Retired Tehran University Professor Receiving Necessary Medical Care
Dr. Mohammed Hosein Rafiee-Fanood, a retired professor of chemistry who has been imprisoned in Iran for peacefully expressing his political views, was operated on to repair varicose veins. He will also be examined for much needed other health problems. CCS has written many letters on his behalf requesting that he receive the medical care that he so desperately needed and we are very pleased that ... Continue Reading>>
Bahraini Neurosurgeon Arrested and Charged with “Illegal Gathering” for Participating in a Sit‑In
Dr. Taha al-Derazi, a prominent Neurosurgeon in Bahrain, was arrested and charged with "illegal gathering" due to his participation in a sit-in in Bahrain. Dr. al-Derazi is a member of the Bahrani Human Rights Obervatory, a group dedicated to monitoring human rights practices in Bahrain. He has been subjected in the past to repeated questioning by Bahrainian authorities, has been suspended from ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee Released on Parole
Physicist Omid Kokabee, whose arrest and imprisonment in Iran galvanized the academic community for more than five years, has been granted parole by the Iranian court. Kokabee was born in Iran in 1982. At age 18 he was recognized for his extraordinary intellectual power in Iran’s nationwide college entrance exams. He graduated with degrees in Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering from ... Continue Reading>>
NASA Scientist, Serkan Golge, Arrested Post‑Coup in Turkey
NASA scientist Serkan Golge, who has been employed as a senior research scientist with the American space program, was arrested in Turkey following the failed coup attempt and charged with espionage. He has been researching the health effects of time spent in space on the human body. The Committee of Concerned Scientists has been making inquiries in an attempt to have him released and to have ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Member Receives Surprise Award at the United Nations
Zafra Lerman was invited to be a delegate in a summit at the UN general assembly on July 17th. The summit was on “Where Science, Technology, and Innovation Meets Humanity to Transform the World.” She found she was the recipient of an award for Peace and Justice. Zafra was then able to make a presentation where she shared about her, very wonderful, Malta Conferences and her work using science as a ... Continue Reading>>
Chinese Human Rights Activist Attorney Released After Issuing Coerced Confession
Embed from Getty Images The Committee of Concerned Scientists welcomes the release on bail of the Chinese human rights lawyer, Wang Yu. We commend Wang Yu for her work on defending freedom of speech in China and express our sympathy to her in connection with the pressure she endured in prison. We respectfully ask Chinese authorities that all charges against Wang Yu be dropped at this ... Continue Reading>>