In an extensive and thoroughly researched investigative report -- to be released in late August -- the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies calls on Turkey to drop all charges against scientists, engineers and doctors accused of terrorism-related crimes. These include Drs. Guruz, Haberal, Hilmioglu and others for whom CCS has advocated. The authors -- Nobel ... Continue Reading>>
In Spite of Protests, Peking University Expels Respected Economics Professor
In a letter to the President of Peking University Wang Enge, CCS urged cancellation of an upcoming faculty vote to expel University Professor Xia Yeiling for his support of free speech and constitutional government. Xia, a respected authority on economics, is a visiting professor at Stanford, but said that he wants to return to China to continue teaching. January 2013 Update Chinese ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Urges Putin to Release Student Activist
CCS wrote a letter to Russian president Vladimir Putin in support of Yaroslav Belousov, a political science student who was arrested in June of 2012. His trial started recently in Moscow. According to press reports, Belusov was arrested while participating in an authorized protest demonstration. He has been in jail for a year and could be convicted of a sentence of up to 12 years. According to ... Continue Reading>>
Abdlolreza Ghanbari's Death Sentence Set Aside, Amnesty International Learns
Professor Abdolreza Ghanbari completed a PhD in Persian language and literature and has taught this subject in high schools and at Payame Nour University. We understand that his only political activity was to belong to a trade union that had been dissolved in 2007. Ghanbari was sentenced to death on January 30, 2010 on charges of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) for allegedly participating in ... Continue Reading>>
Abdlolreza Ghanbari’s Death Sentence Set Aside, Amnesty International Learns
Professor Abdolreza Ghanbari completed a PhD in Persian language and literature and has taught this subject in high schools and at Payame Nour University. We understand that his only political activity was to belong to a trade union that had been dissolved in 2007. Ghanbari was sentenced to death on January 30, 2010 on charges of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) for allegedly participating in ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Joins Amnesty’s Campaign on Turkey’s Lack of Due Process and Free Expression for Academics
CCS has received a number of complaints concerning imprisonment and prosecution of Turkish academics that seem to lack due process and regard for freedom of expression in each case. Professors Haberal and Hilmioglu. still in jail and in ill health, have been threatened with life sentences. Pinar Selek, a writer and scholar, was imprisoned, tortured and sentenced in absentia to aggravated life ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Joins Amnesty's Campaign on Turkey's Lack of Due Process and Free Expression for Academics
CCS has received a number of complaints concerning imprisonment and prosecution of Turkish academics that seem to lack due process and regard for freedom of expression in each case. Professors Haberal and Hilmioglu. still in jail and in ill health, have been threatened with life sentences. Pinar Selek, a writer and scholar, was imprisoned, tortured and sentenced in absentia to aggravated life ... Continue Reading>>
2012 Annual Report
Summaries of 2012 Cases During 2012, the Committee of Concerned Scientists continued to advocate on behalf of scientists, academics, engineers and physicians. We wrote in concern for more than 23 individuals or groups of individuals, located in 9 countries. We generally addressed our letters (available in full on our website, concernedscientists.org) to the heads of state, as well as to the ... Continue Reading>>
Harsh Sentence for Iranian Journalist Should Be Overturned
CCS joined other human rights organizations in writing to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran urging him to overturn the harsh and degrading sentence given to Bahman Ahamdi Amouee, a respected Iranian journalist and economist. Mr. Amouee was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison and 34 lashes for "anti-state activities." He has been in prison since ... Continue Reading>>
Iranian Women Banned from Many Areas of University Study
According to an August 21 press statement by Victoria Nuland of the US Department of State, 36 universities in Iran have banned women from studying in 77 critical fields, including nuclear physics, computer science, engineering and education. The Committee of Concerned Scientists urges the Iranian government to lift these restrictions. ... Continue Reading>>