These actions are believed to be part of initiatives by the Government to curtail the independence and resources of the science establishment of Venezuela. Inexperienced professionals with little scientific experience have been appointed to positions of authority, according to ACFIMAN, resources to universities and research centers are cut, and support of proposals is distributed according to the ... Continue Reading>>
Turkey: Science magazine editor allegedly fired for evolution coverage
Dr. Cigem Atakuman: Expressed CCS concern about the suppression of an issue on evolution in a scientific magazine published by TUBITAK, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, and with the firing of the publication’s editor. The March issue of “Bilim ve Teknik” (Science & Technology), which would have covered Darwin and his contributions to science, was changed at the last ... Continue Reading>>
Obstacles to the mobility of scientists
Presentation by Sophie Cook, Executive Director, CCS, at the July 24 meeting of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Meeting, in Washington DC. I am pleased to represent the Committee of Concerned Scientists on this panel titled “Human Rights and the Mobility of Scientists: Acting on Visa Restrictions.” ... Continue Reading>>
Misguided and Illegal Boycott
We wish to alert American Chemical Society members to a worrisome development: More than 190 faculty members and student groups at U.S. colleges have endorsed a boycott of Israel academics. The group promoting the boycott calls itself “U.S. Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel.” We are very concerned about this movement (both of us sit on the board of the Committee of Concerned ... Continue Reading>>
Liu Gang
CCS met the announcement of the trial of the physics graduate student Liu Gang on charges of "conspiracy to overthrow the Government" with cables to Premier Li Peng and leaders of Chinese science. Our message of distress at Liu's being tried for his nonviolent participation in the democracy movement fell on deaf ears as the trial proceeded and culminated in a six- year sentence. This sad ... Continue Reading>>
Fang Lizhi
When the Chinese astrophysicist Fang Li Zhi fell from grace in 1988 for allegedly fomenting student unrest, CCS sprang into action. We sent letters protesting restrictions placed on his travel for participation in scientific exchanges abroad and on contacts with his students at home. A member of our National Board visited him in Beijing to ascertain strategies he wanted pursued. At several ... Continue Reading>>
Irina Brailovsky
Mathematician Irina Brailovsky's story typifies those of hundreds of Jewish scientists, engineers and physicians who applied to emigrate from the USSR in the 1970s and 1980s. In retaliation, they were dismissed (or demoted) from professional employment and were shut out from mainstream Soviet science. She, her husband Victor, a computer science expert, and family were first refused exit in ... Continue Reading>>
Yuri Orlov
The internationally distinguished high energy physicist Yuri Orlov held top research and honorary posts in the Soviet scientific world until authorities took note of his growing leadership role in the human rights movement.In retaliation for founding the Moscow chapter of Amnesty International in 1973, Orlov was dismissed from his post at Moscow's Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism. Undaunted, in ... Continue Reading>>