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>>
Iranian Physicist Sentenced to 16 Years in Jail for Anti-Death Penalty Work
Narges Mohammadi, an accomplished scientist in Iran was sentenced to 16 years in jail for her work opposing the death penalty and for meeting with the UN High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. CCS has written the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran asking that they reconsider this sentence and reverse their decision. Embed from Getty Images October ... Continue Reading>>
Lashes to Be Carried Out for Saudi Arabian Blogger
Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger who was charged with insulting Islam was sentenced to 10 years in prison and public flogging. He was hurt so badly during the first series of beatings that following ones were postponed. Recently, his family was informed that they would begin again, but not in public. CCS has requested that the conviction be overturned as he was only exercising his right of free speech ... Continue Reading>>
Chinese Human Rights Activist Attorney Released After Issuing Coerced Confession
Embed from Getty Images The Committee of Concerned Scientists welcomes the release on bail of the Chinese human rights lawyer, Wang Yu. We commend Wang Yu for her work on defending freedom of speech in China and express our sympathy to her in connection with the pressure she endured in prison. We respectfully ask Chinese authorities that all charges against Wang Yu be dropped at this ... 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>>
Iranian Physicist and Human Rights Activist Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison
Narges Mohammadi, a prominent activist, has spoken out against the use of the death penalty in Iran. She has also advocated for the rights of women. For these, she has now been sentenced to 16 years in Evin Prison in Iran. CCS has written requesting her immediate release and that she be given adequate medical care for seriously deteriorating medical issues. Embed from Getty ... Continue Reading>>
President Obama: Demand that Saudi Arabia Release Badawi and al-Qahtani
In light of the President’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, CCS requests his assistance in the release of two prisoners: Mohammed al-Qahtani and Raif Badawi. Mohammed al-Qahtani, a Professor of Economics was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years in prison for speaking out for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia. He co-founded the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, calling for Saudi Arabia to implement ... Continue Reading>>
2015 Annual Report
During 2015, the Committee of Concerned Scientists continued to advocate on behalf of scientists, academics, engineers and physicians. We wrote in concern for more than 21 individuals or groups of individuals, located in 11 countries. We generally addressed our letters to the heads of state, as well as to the country’s ambassadors, the United States ambassador for the particular jurisdiction, ... Continue Reading>>
Two Human Rights Lawyers Formally Charged in China
Wang Yu, lawyer for Ilham Tohti, and Li Heping, lawyer for Chen Guangcheng, were detained by Chinese authorities in July 2015. CCS, at that time, wrote a letter requesting their release. They have now been formally arrested with charges that could result in life sentences. January 22, 2016 President Xi Jinping The State Council General’s Office 2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu Beijingshi ... Continue Reading>>
Moroccan Historian Denied Travel for Conference Faces Criminal Charges
Professor Maati Monjib, a Moroccan historian, was banned from traveling out of the country to attend a professional conference in Spain. He began a hunger strike, became ill and was hospitalized. The ban was lifted and hunger strike ended but Professor Monjib and several of his colleagues were charged with “harming internal state security,” a charge for which he can receive five years in prison. ... Continue Reading>>