Omid Kokabee, a University of Texas graduate student currently imprisoned in Iran, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2014 Andrei Sakharov Prize, which recognizes outstanding leadership and achievements of scientists in upholding human rights. Kokabee will share the honor with Dr. Boris Altshuler of the Russian Federation. The prize carries $10,000 for each winner. The APS press ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee, Boris Altshuler
Omid Kokabee, Boris Altshuler Win APS Andrei Sakharov Prize
Omid Kokabee, a University of Texas graduate student currently imprisoned in Iran, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2014 Andrei Sakharov Prize, which recognizes outstanding leadership and achievements of scientists in upholding human rights. Kokabee will share the honor with Dr. Boris Altshuler of the Russian Federation. The prize carries $10,000 for each winner. The APS press ... Continue Reading>>
Kemal Gürüz Released from Prison
We welcome the news that Dr. Halil Kemal Gürüz, a chemical engineer, education administrator and former professor and university rector, was allowed to go home pending his appeal from the thirteen years and eleven month sentence imposed on him by a criminal court in Turkey on August 5, 2013. In a new trial on September 5 on another charge, Dr. Gürüz was placed on probation by an Ankara court ... Continue Reading>>
New Appeal for Omid Kokabee Details Specific Human Rights Law Violations
The Committee of Concerned Scientists endorses a new appeal on behalf of Texas University physics student Omid Kokabee, who is imprisoned in Teheran. CCS and many other human rights organizations have been advocating for his release since his arrest in 2011. The letters to Iranian and international officials (see below) were drafted by Ellen Hutchison, a student at Texas University/Austin, with ... Continue Reading>>
International Human Rights Science Network Calls for Release of Eight Turkish Colleagues
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>>
Computer Student in Turkey, Protesters, Systematically Denied Legal Assistance
CCS wrote to authorities in Turkey to protest the policy of the Istanbul police, as reported by the Istanbul Bar Association, to systematically deny access to legal assistance for protesters as they were arrested. A student of computer engineering, Ismail Cem Bakir, was unable to consult his attorney as police arrested him and raided his home, in violation of his fundamental human rights. ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Protests the Beating of Activist and Physicist in Moscow
Dr. Lev Ponomarev, a prominent Russian physicist and human rights activist, was violently evicted from the offices of his organization, "For Human Rights," during a dispute over the lease. Ponomarev and five others were treated so roughly by security guards hired by the city of Moscow that they had to be treated at a first aid clinic. CCS protested the assault to Russian authorities, ... Continue Reading>>
Russian Physicist and Human Rights Activist Beaten at his Moscow Office
Russian physicist and human rights defender Lev Ponomarev was beaten up when he and his staff were violently evicted from the Moscow office of his organization For Human Rights on June 22. Dr. Ponomarev worked and published for many years in elementary particle physics at the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics in Moscow. He became involved in human rights and politics in the ... Continue Reading>>
Prof. Al-Singace Denied Family Visits and Medical Attention in Bahrain Jail
CCS has learned from Professor Abdul Jail Al-Singace's family that he has been denied medical attention and family visits while serving a life sentence in prison. Al-Singace's conviction was based on his reporting on human rights abuses in Bahrain. Dr. Al-Singace, a professor of mechanical engineering who has taught at the University of Bahrain since 1995, is also a leader of the democratic ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Requests Dr. Gürüz' Release from Prison after Suicide Attempt
Dr. Halil Kemal Gürüz, a prominent chemical engineer, educator and retired professor, has become depressed in prison and has attempted suicide, CCS has learned from Dr. Gürüz' family. He was arrested as part the alleged “Ergenekon” conspiracy charges and has been held in prison without bail since 2012. Our Previous Activities Read about CCS's continuing efforts on behalf of Kamal Gürüz ... Continue Reading>>