Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci, Professor and head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Istanbul University, along with two prominent journalists, Erol Onderoglu and Ahmet Nesin, will go to trial on November 8. They have been charged with “terror propaganda.” These charges preceded the attempted coup in Turkey and these individuals had nothing to do with that event. CCS has advocated for these ... Continue Reading>>
Ilham Tohti, Peaceful Advocate for Uighur Community, Wins Martin Ennals Award; also a Finalist for Sakharov Prize
Ilham Tohti, a peaceful advocate of China’s Uighur community, currently serving a life sentence in a Chinese prison, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders by a group of human rights organizations; Tohti was also a finalist for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov prize is awarded annually by the European Parliament to honor individuals and ... Continue Reading>>
Homa Hoodfar, Canadian and Iranian Citizen, Released from Evin Prison
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>>
Academic Community Severely Affected by Actions of Turkish Government Following Attempted Coup
Despite their lack of involvement and their opposition to any coup in Turkey, academics in Turkey have been severely affected by the actions of the Turkish government - universities shut down, staff suspended and terminated from their positions and some detained and arrested. Due process has not been followed and guilt or innocence doesn’t appear to make a difference in actions taken. CCS would ... Continue Reading>>
Academics and Scientists Severely Affected by Attempted Coup in Turkey
On July 15, 2016 a fraction of the Turkish military attempted to seize power from democratically elected leaders. Turkish citizens went to the streets and protested en masse. The democracy was saved but two hundred innocent people had died and over a thousand were injured. The Turkish government declared a state of emergency and began purging Turkish institutions from elements allegedly ... Continue Reading>>
Turkey Continues to Question, Detain, Arrest, and Terminate Employment of Academics That Signed Peace Petition
To date, the Turkish authorities have terminated the employment, requested resignations, failed to renew contracts or sent files to the Higher Educational Council of 91 Turkish academics. 513 face disciplinary action resulting in temporary suspensions, and legal process have been initiated against 418. The numbers are continually growing. CCS has written to the Turkish authorities requesting ... Continue Reading>>
Homa Hoodfar, Canadian and Iranian Citizen, Jailed in Evin Prison
Dr. Homa Hoodfar, a Canadian and Iranian citizen, was arrested on June 6 and has been held in Evin Prison. She has not been able to contact her family or an attorney. Dr. Hoodfar, a Professor of Social Anthropology, was arrested in June after three months of questioning. She was in Iran visiting family and doing research on the political role of women in Iran historically. Being in isolation opens ... Continue Reading>>
Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith Held by the United Arab Emirates for Criticizing UAE and Egypt
Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith, a U.S.-educated economist, was detained in the UAE and has been held for criticizing Egypt and the UAE online. He has been held since August 2015 in an unknown location. CCS has written several times on bin Ghaith’s behalf. His trial will start on June 28th. June 6, 2016 HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister Prime Minister’s ... Continue Reading>>
Lecturer and Fulbright Scholar in Pakistan Charged with Blasphemy, Lawyer Murdered
Junaid Hafeez, a lecturer of English Literature at Bahauddin Zakariya University, respected writer and scholar, has been jailed for the past three years and charged with blasphemy. The charge carries the possibility of a death sentence. During the trial his attorney was threatened by the prosecutor in open court; and was actually murdered. Hafeez’ new lawyer has requested the trial be moved to a ... Continue Reading>>
A Petition in Support of Turkish Academics Facing Job Loss and Arrest
Please support Turkish academics who have been terminated from their positions and arrested for signing a petition to encourage a peaceful handling of the Kurdish population. Our Previous Activities CCS Turkish Archive Hundreds of Turkish academics face prison terms and expulsion from their universities for exercising their freedom of speech. We appeal to academics of all countries to stand ... Continue Reading>>