Carlos Correa, a renowned professor and researcher at the Human Rights Center of the Andrés Bello Catholic University and Executive Director of the NGO, Espacio Público, was abducted on January 7th by alleged state officials who forced him into an unmarked vehicle, and he has not been seen since. The Committee is concerned and asks the Venezuelan government to disclose his location. Ifex: ... Continue Reading>>
Our Work
Belarusian State University Lecturer Detained in Azerbaijan
Mr. Igbal Abilov, lecturer at the Belarusian State University in ethnic studies, was recently arrested in Azerbaijan. The Committee is concerned that Abilov’s arrest may be due to his studies into ethnic minorities present in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with academics in Armenia, ahead of COP29 in Baku. He should be released and allowed to return to Belarus, as well as review documents relating ... Continue Reading>>
Narges Mohammadi’s Temporary Medical Release is Grossly Insufficient
Permanent and Unconditional Release of Nobel Peace Laureate Is Critical December 5, 2024 – Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and renowned Iranian human rights defender, has been granted a 21-day medical release from Evin Prison by the Iranian authorities, after repeated denials and delays in receiving critical medical care. This temporary release falls drastically short of ... Continue Reading>>
Human Rights Lawyer Arrested in China
Lu, 51, was en route to be reunited with his family in the United States when he was arrested in Vientiane on July 28, 2023 and forcibly repatriated to China. Upon returning to China, he was charged in the southwestern province of Sichuan with "illegally crossing a border" and released on bail pending trial. He was arrested on October 10, ... Continue Reading>>
Thoracic Surgeon and Researcher Slowly Dying in Prison
Wang Bingzhang is a former surgeon and researcher who wrote pro-democracy literature. He was charged with espionage and with planning an embassy bombing. After being kidnapped abroad and transported to China in 2002, Bingzhang was sentenced to life imprisonment in solitary confinement. He has been sick and alone in prison for 22 years. Schiff letter, Ambassador Fu Cong, Human Rights ... Continue Reading>>
In Memory of Professor Saibaba
CCS is saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr. Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba from medical complications. To read his full obituary, follow this link: thefederal.com International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India's statement can be found here: academicfreedomindia.com ... Continue Reading>>
Postdoctoral Fellow at Brown University Still Unable to Travel to West Africa
Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, the Brown Postdoctoral Fellow in Public Service at Northwestern University, is still unable to return to West Africa to continue his research for fear of reprisal by the Sierra Leone government in the Africanist Press for exposing alleged corruption and financial crimes. The Committee is once again asking Secretary Blinken to ... Continue Reading>>
Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Serving Life Sentence in China
Ilham Tohti, an academic and a writer, has served ten years of a life sentence on wrongful charges of separatism, despite speaking against separatism. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-25757198 ... Continue Reading>>
Tenured Professor Suspended for Expressing Views about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Dr. Maura Finkelstein, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Muhlenberg College, was recently suspended following controversial social media posts and allegations of misconduct relating to her behavior in the classroom. The Committee is concerned this extreme action of stripping tenure from a faculty member for their political views threatens academic freedom everywhere and asks the College to ... Continue Reading>>
Sri Lankan Professor of Sociology Leaves South Asian University After Launching Politically Motivated Investigation into his PhD Student’s Proposal
Sasanka Perera, a former South Asian University (SAU) professor of sociology and the same university’s former vice president and dean, recently left his position after its administration launched an investigation into his graduate student’s PhD proposal. The proposal was about Kashmir and included a quote from the well-known political critic, Noam Chomsky. In the quote, Chomsky criticizes India’s ... Continue Reading>>