Omid Kokabee's mother wrote a letter to the Ayatollah pleading for the release of her son after serving almost five years in prison without a furlough, or a pardon. Despite the ruling of the Supreme Court of the land in his favor, he remains in Evin Prison with no indication of a release. He is being denied books and the time to read them, his health is failing and from all reports it appears he ... Continue Reading>>
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Nephew of Chinese Lawyer and Activist Chen Released from Prison
The nephew of the blind lawyer and activist Chen Guangcheng, who was arrested following his uncle's escape from illegal detention, was released from prison on Wednesday, September 16, 2015. Chen Kegui was released after serving a three-year, three-month sentence that was widely seen as retribution for his uncle's daring escape from house arrest. Chen said in an email from the United States that ... Continue Reading>>
Good News: Beijing Releases Chinese Scholar Who Helped Lawyer-Activist Chen Flee
Guo Yushan, the Chinese scholar who assisted the lawyer and activist Chen Guangcheng flee from illegal detention was released from prison on September 14, 2015, according to his lawyer, Li Jin. Jin said that she did not know why Guo was released or if there was any link to Xi Jinping's United States visit. Related articles Beijing releases activist on eve of Chinese president's visit to US ... Continue Reading>>
Chile Responds to CCS Letter Regarding Dr. Boris Weisfeiler
The Minister of the Presidency of Chile responded to a CCS letter, on behalf of President Bachelet, stating that there is some movement in the country to address the human rights violations that occurred during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Actions that will are taking place are: The National Congress is processing a Bill of Law to create an Undersecretary of Human ... Continue Reading>>
China Arrests Two Human Rights Lawyers on Unspecified Charges
The Chinese Government arrested Li Heping, attorney for Chen Guangcheng, and Wang Yu, attorney for Ilham Tohti, for, as yet, unspecified charges. A general arrest of more than 225 Human Rights attorneys took place in China in mid-Spring this year. Many were detained, questioned, and some released. Li Heping and Wang Yu have not been released and their whereabouts are undisclosed. It is reported ... Continue Reading>>
Iran Increases Presssure on Omid Kokabee
As the news from Iran encourages us that the new negotiations may lead to the release of Omid Kokabee, we find ourselves, instead, discouraged as the pressure on Omid seems to be increasing. Most recently, in April he was sent to a solitary ward for further interrogation; recently, he was instructed to stop reading and to put his books away and his nightlight was confiscated. This week, his family ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee’s Birthday
CCS would like to wish a happy 33rd birthday to Omid Kokabee. This is the 5th birthday that he has spent in Evin Prison in Iran. For further information please read this article in Iranwire. Related articles Omid Kokabee Marks Birthday in Jail (en.iranwire.com) Free Omid Facebook page Kokabee Archive (concernedscientists.org) Guards Punish Jailed Scientist for Media Reports ... Continue Reading>>
An Appeal to Iranian Scientists on Behalf of Omid Kokabee
The Committee of Concerned Scientists (CCS) is asking Iranian scientists to apply their influence to free Omid Kokabee who is serving a 10-year prison sentence in Tehran for his refusal to participate in research related to Iran’s nuclear program, see Op-Ed on Omid Kokabee and Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program. Earlier this year CCS wrote to Dr. Mohammad-Javad Larijani, Secretary of the Human ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Protests Arbitrary Arrest of Retired Tehran University Professor
For the third time since 2001, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Rafiee has been wrongfully detained in Iran. His arrest on unspecified charges is in breach of the guarantees outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee of Concerned Scientists has expressed its deep concern for Dr. Rafiee's well-being and has ... Continue Reading>>
Death Sentence in Absentia of Egyptian Scholar Called Baseless
More than 40 academic colleagues of political science professor Emad el-Din Shahin signed an open letter of protest against an Egyptian court's death sentence, handed down in a mass trial that lacked all elements of due process. CCS joined what appeared to be retaliation for Shahin's pro-democracy stance. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Arab Republic of Egypt c/o Embassy of Egypt to the United ... Continue Reading>>