The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars that has been working, since 1972, on the advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for our colleagues all over the world. At this time of great international effort on the containment of COVID-19, we are concerned with the politicization of the response to the pandemic ... Continue Reading>>
The Situation for the Uyghur Population in Xinjiang Deteriorates and Becomes More Dangerous Daily
China is in the process of spying on and detaining its Uyghur population in an attempt to wipe out all groups that are not traditional Hans Chinese. This creates a situation that is very dangerous for the Uyghur population, many of whom get snatched off the street for no reason and detained in what the Chinese have named “Re-Education Camps.” In these camps people are forced to eat food that is ... Continue Reading>>
50 Students Detained in Huizhou on August 24, 2018 Following a Peaceful Demonstration Are Missing
Students who were engaged in a peaceful demonstration in support of workers at a factory in Shenzhen were rounded up and have not been seen nor heard from since that time. The workers were fighting for their rights as working conditions at the company were reported as problematic, and they had been attempting to form a union. CCS sent an inquiry to the President of China requesting information on ... Continue Reading>>
Rahile Dawut, Prominent Uyghur Scholar and Anthropologist, Missing
Dr. Rahile Dawut, a prominent Uyghur scholar and anthropologist has been missing since December 2017. She is a professor at Xinjiang University. It has been alleged that she has been detained - whereabouts unknown. No one seems to be aware of anything that she may have done that would lead to incarceration or a criminal charge. CCS has written the President of China requesting an explanation of ... Continue Reading>>
US Scientist Leaves US After Petty Felony Conviction
Chunzai Wang, an expert on climate change and hurricanes, had been employed at NOAA for the past 17 years. Dr. Wang is a naturalized US citizen. He won the Employee of the Year Award at NOAA in 2012 and a second award at NOAA in 2013. Wang was accused of supplementing his income without notifying his supervisor when he spoke at scientific conferences in China while on annual leave. He was paid a ... Continue Reading>>
Founder of HR Website Detained for Allegedly “Leaking State Secrets”
Huang Qi, a computer engineer in China, has been detained since November 2016. He was arrested allegedly for his role as founder of a human rights focused website, 64 Tianwang. He established the website over 20 years ago but has been recently accused of “leaking state secrets.” He has not, as yet, been charged and legal documents have not been shared with Huang or his lawyer. He reports he is ... Continue Reading>>
Li Heping, Attorney for Ilham Tohti, Suffering Medical Complications
It has been communicated to CCS that Li Heping, human rights attorney for Ilham Tohti, now serving time himself for human rights work, allegedly has been tortured and is suffering from medical complications as a result. Additionally, Li is also in need of adequate legal counsel. CCS has requested that he receive appropriate medical care and legal representation of his choosing. February 7, ... 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>>
Wang Yu, Human Rights Attorney Awaiting Trial in China, Receiving ABA Award
American Bar Association earlier this month announced it is giving the organization’s first ever “International Human Rights Award” to Chinese human rights lawyer Wang Yu. CCS has advocated for Wang Yu’s release since she was detained in June 2015. Wang Yu and other human rights attorney’s were picked up by authorities a year ago and detained with no charges in undetermined places. Recently, ... Continue Reading>>
Scholar Ilham Tohti Remains in Prison
Ilham Tohti, an Economics professor formerly at Minzu University in Beijing, and an advocate for the rights of the Chinese Uighur community, still sits in jail, sentenced to a life in prison for expressing his beliefs in a peaceful way. CCS has written again to President Xi Jinping asking him to please investigate this case and release Ilham Tohti as well as the other individuals that are in ... Continue Reading>>