The Committee of Concerned Scientists expresses its shock and sadness at the death of Wilmar Villar Mendoza, a 31-year old member of the human rights group UMPACU (Union Patriotica de Cuba). Villar was beaten and arrested following a peaceful protest in Contramaestre on November 14, 2011, and sentenced to four years in prison. He began a hunger strike in the Prison of Aguadores on November 25, ... Continue Reading>>
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CCS Cites Recent Report of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in Dr. Jahromi’s Case
In urging Bahraini authorities to provide due process and reinstatement to academic Masaud Jahromi, CCS relied on the Dec. 10, 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. In addition to many other findings of violations of human rights by the Government in connection with recent protests, the Commission cited violations of free speech at Bahrain's Universities. ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Cites Recent Report of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in Dr. Jahromi's Case
In urging Bahraini authorities to provide due process and reinstatement to academic Masaud Jahromi, CCS relied on the Dec. 10, 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry. In addition to many other findings of violations of human rights by the Government in connection with recent protests, the Commission cited violations of free speech at Bahrain's Universities. ... Continue Reading>>
Student Leader in Swaziland Arrested for Demonstrating
Maxwell Dlamini, President of the National Union of Students of Swaziland, was reported arrested and possibly tortured, in violation of international human rights conventions agreed to by his country's government. CCS calls for his release. ... Continue Reading>>
Arrest of Professor Ersanli on Terrorist Charges Appears to be Based on Guilt by Association
CCS wrote to the president of Turkey, Abdullah Güll, asking him to intervene in the case of Dr. Büsra Ersanlı, a professor who is also a member of a political party that is allegedly linked by association to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a banned party in Turkey. Dr. Ersanli denies this allegation. Absent any additional or contrary information, the facts appear to indicate that Professor Ersanlı ... Continue Reading>>
Award-Winning Chinese-American Engineer Continues to be Detained in China Long After He Was Acquitted of Charges
CCS protests the continued detention of Dr. Zicheng Hu, a Chinese-American engineer who has been unable to leave China since November 2008 when he went on a business trip to China. He served a 17 month prison sentence, was released without charges, but is unable to leave China. CCS urges the government of China to release him immediately. ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Welcomes Release of Professor Nasser Bin Ghaith of the UAE
CCS was among the many human rights groups and academic associations advocating for Professor bin Ghaith, a lecturer of economics at the Abu Dhabi branch of the Paris-based Sorbonne University in the United Arab Emirates, who was detained in April in Dubai and charged for being a threat to public security, undermining public order, insulting the government and opposing the government system. The ... Continue Reading>>
AFP: Vietnam cuts jail term of French-Vietnamese blogger
(AFP) HANOI — A Vietnamese court on Tuesday halved the jail sentence of a French-Vietnamese blogger whose release has been sought by Paris and the European Union, his lawyer said. Pham Minh Hoang, who has dual nationality, will be freed on January 13 after serving a 17-month sentence for attempted subversion but will still have to serve three years' house arrest, lawyer Tran Vu Hai told ... Continue Reading>>
Petition for the Release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu from Prison in Turkey
We urge the signing of this petition for the release of Drs. Haberal and Hilmioglu for health reasons pending the outcome of their trials. To: His Excellency Abdullah Gul, President of the Republic of Turkey This petition is sponsored by the Committee of Concerned Scientists — an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement ... Continue Reading>>
Continued Police Investigation of Malaysian Law Professor After Reinstatement Violates Academic Freedom, CCS States
CCS wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia protesting the continuing investigation of Aziz Bari, a law professor at International Islamic University of Malaysia. ... Continue Reading>>