A recent editorial in Nature Magazine notes that academics should not have to live in fear in pursuit of their studies, but that more often than has been true in the past, it is becoming more frequent. There are more locations where this has been a problem this year: Chile, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon where demonstrations have taken place. Also, scientists have been arrested and sentenced in ... Continue Reading>>
BAD NEWS: Academics Silenced Due to Repression in Turkey
After taking positions on political issues in Turkey, many academics were terminated from their positions on University campuses with large numbers of them being criminally charged and sentenced. Many, who were able, left Turkey and others remained silent. The effect on advanced education in Turkey has been disastrous. Turkey’s Crackdown on Academics Represses History Once Again ... Continue Reading>>
Nicaraguan Scientists and Academics Punished for Criticizing Government
Many scientists and scholars in Nicaragua have recently lost their jobs, been attacked and some, forced to leave country for expressing their political beliefs in a peaceful manner. Several of these, Maria Luisa Acosta, the President of the Nicaraguan National Academy of Sciences, was forced to leave the country after receiving death threats; Mauricio Alvarez Arguello, a biologist at the ... Continue Reading>>
Gulmen and Ozakca Began Hunger Strike to Protest Dismissal as Academics. Shortly After, They Were Arrested.
Nuriye Gulmen (Scholar) and Semih Ozakca (Primary School Teacher) were dismissed from academic positions in November 2016 and began protesting their dismissal. In March 2017 they began a hunger strike and two months later were charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “propaganda for a terrorist organization.” CCS understands that, due to their hunger strike, their health has ... 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>>
Dr. Yuri Pivovarov, Director of Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences in Moscow again under investigation by Russian Government
The Russian government cleared Dr. Yuri Pivovarov of involvement at a fire at his institute. Immediately, as that case was dismissed for lack of evidence, he was again placed under investigation for financial improprieties at the same institute. CCS has written the Russian government requesting, along with over a hundred other prominent Russian intellectuals - including members of the Russian ... Continue Reading>>
Israel Bans Entrance to Country of British Professor Supporting BDS
Dr. Kamel Hawwash, British Professor in the School of Civil Engineering of the University of Birmingham travelled to Israel with his family to visit relatives in East Jerusalem. At the Tel Aviv airport Professor Hawwash was stopped, interrogated and put on a plane to Brussels. Israeli authorities noted the reason for restricting his entrance to the country was his support of the BDS movement ... Continue Reading>>
Funding Campaign Established to Help Turkish Academics for Peace
Thousands of academics have been terminated from their positions, detained by the authorities and/or arrested since the Turkish Coup in April 2016. Among them are the Academics for Peace who signed a declaration for ceasing human rights violations in the Kurdish provinces. 2,212 academics signed the petition. As of March 2017 at least 383 signatories have been purged from their jobs, banned from ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Sends Bahrainian King Letter in Support of Khalil al-Halwachi – To Be Sentenced March 23rd
Khalil al-Halwachi, an Electrical Engineer and Professor, has been in prison in Bahrain since September 2014. His case has been rescheduled multiple times over the two and a half year period. He had a hearing on December 29th and is scheduled to have his sentence handed down on March 23rd. CCS wrote asking that his case be reviewed and that he be assured due process and released ... Continue Reading>>
Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith to Go On Trial
A US-educated economist, Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith was arrested on August 18, 2015 and has been held incommunicado until April 2016. He is now scheduled for trial today, February 22, 2017. CCS has requested his immediate release from the authorities in the UAE. February 22, 2017 HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister Prime Minister’s Office P.O. Box: ... Continue Reading>>