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Herman Winick Accepts Andrei Sakharov Prize

March 4, 2010 – Herman Winick, SAR Scholar-Advocate and Professor emeritus at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and the Applied Physics Department of Stanford University, accepted the 2010 Andrei Sakharov Prize at the meeting of the American Physical Society (APS) last week in Washington D.C. Also accepting the award were Joseph Birman of the City College of New York and the City University of New York, and Morris (Moishe) Pripstein of the National Science Foundation. The Andrei Sakharov Prize is an honor awarded every two years by the APS in recognition of scientists who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievements in upholding human rights. Winick has worked tirelessly on behalf of human rights throughout his career and has been instrumental in the success stories of several SAR scholars. more »


Protecting Education from Attack

On February 11th, 2010, Scholars at Risk staff participated in a meeting of experts, NGO specialists and UN agency representatives who gathered to discuss the steps necessary to better strengthen the protection of education from attack. Held at Human Rights Watch's New York offices, the meeting provided a forum to consider the possible formation of a coalition dedicated to defending education from attack in part through joint advocacy, information sharing and collaborative action. Over the next several months, steps will be taken to formalize this initiative. Scholars at Risk is honored to be a part of the group establishing this new work.


US Visa Ban Revoked

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently signed orders which effectively reverse the decision of the Bush administration to prohibit two renowned foreign Muslim scholars, Adam Habib and Tariq Ramadan, from entering the US, possibly signaling the end of the practice whereby foreign nationals could be refused visas based on their political views and associations. While the orders do not guarantee approval of the visas, the past reasons for the exclusion of the scholars can no longer be held against them. more »


Scholars at Risk calls for international investigation of killing of Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi

Scholars at Risk is deeply concerned about the apparent murder of Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi, a professor of physics at Tehran University in Iran.  Although complete information is not available, according to reports Dr. Ali-Mohammadi was killed by an explosion outside his home on January 12, 2010.  The motives for the apparent assassination are not clear at this time, although there is speculation centered on Dr. Ali-Mohammadi's role as a researcher in nuclear physics.  Whatever the motives, it is clear that any attack on Dr. Ali-Mohammadi was a violation of internationally recognized human rights, including the “right to life, liberty and security of person” (UDHR Art. 3) and to due process under law (UDHR Arts. 6-12). more »


At-risk scholars need your support

Make Scholars at Risk part of your annual giving

In just the last few days of 2009, Scholars at Risk members and friends have helped provide safety and opportunity to scholars from Iran, Bangladesh and Congo.  With your help, we can do even more in 2010.  Please make Scholars at Risk part of your annual giving today.  Gifts at any level are appreciated and help us to respond quickly and effectively when scholars turn to us for protection. 

You can make a gift today by
clicking here or using the 'DONATE' button at the top of the page.

With your help, we look forward to meeting the needs of even more scholars, and wish you, your families and friends all the best in the coming new year.


2009 Highlights

Recent mailing shares highlights and invitation

In a recent mailing Scholars at Risk shared a summary of highlights from 2009--it was a very busy year!--together with an invitation to join Friends of Scholars at Riska growing community of supporters who help us to respond to the urgent needs of threatened scholars today, and to reduce the numbers of scholars needing protection tomorrow. Friends enjoy invitations to special events, priority registration for conferences, access to Action Alerts, advocacy campaigns and more.  If you have already joined and made a donation, thank you!   

If you have not joined yet, we invite
you to join or renew today by clicking here or using the 'DONATE' button at the top of the page.  Donations at any level are gratefully appreciated.   more »


Academic Freedom Workshops

Academic Freedom & University Autonomy in the Balkan, Black Sea & Caspian Regions, Istanbul, Turkey, 23-24 October 2009

Istanbul Bilgi Human Rights Center logoScholars at Risk together with the Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Centre and the Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) held a symposium and workshop on ‘Academic Freedom and University Autonomy in the Balkan, Black Sea & Caspian Regions’ on October 23-24, 2009. The events were held at Istanbul Bilgi University and supported by grants from the Foundation Open Society Institute (Zug) and the Arcadia Fund. Faculty members, human rights leaders and researchers from sixteen countries participated in the event, including representatives from Afghanistan, Croatia, Kyrgyz Republic, Iraq, Iran, Romania, Ghana, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, United Kingdom and United States. more »


Scholars in Prison

SAR Calls for Release of Iranian Scholar Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned about reports indicating that Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh, a respected international scholar and researcher, has been arrested, convicted and sentenced to over 12 years in prison. Reports indicating that an appeal may not be heard are of additional concern. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails respectfully urging authorities to reconsider his case and ensure that an appeal be heard. more »


The Network

Iranian Nobel Winner Launches Scholars at Risk, Ireland Section

The Irish Section of Scholars at Risk was launched by Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Shirin Ebadi at an event in the Robert Emmet Theatre in Trinity College, Dublin, on the 22 September 2009. This new partnership between Universities Ireland and the global Scholars at Risk network will provide support to threatened academics around the world, including by arranging temporary placements in Ireland to allow them to safely continue their work. Robert Quinn, Executive Director of Scholars at Risk, said: "We are delighted to celebrate the launch of our Irish Section. The practical help from Irish universities that will now be available to courageous intellectual leaders at risk in many countries today will help to save lives." more »
 
SAR News Headlines SAR Events

03/05/2010, Tenure meant to protect Academic Freedom Academic freedom allows professors to research and explore controversial or divisive topics related to their department without fear of persecution. Academic tenure is the means by which academic freedom is achieved. Lisa Weston, president of the...
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03/05/2010, International Conference :Academic Freedom and the Social Responsibility of Academics and Researchers in Africa: What are the new challenges? The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the organisation of an international conference on “Academic Freedom and the Social Responsibility of Academics and Researchers in Africa: What are...
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03/04/2010, Herman Winick Accepts Andrei Sakharov Prize March 4, 2010 – Herman Winick, SAR Scholar-Advocate and Professor emeritus at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and the Applied Physics Department of Stanford University, accepted the 2010 Andrei Sakharov Prize at the meeting of the American...
more »

05/05/2010, The Truth about Rwanda: Causes and Aftermath Dr. Jean Marie Kamatali, a Rwandan law professor, will be speaking at the Jefferson Educational Society on May 3, 2010, as part of the SAR Speaker Series and the Jefferson Educational Society's Global...
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03/30/2010, Pakistani Scholar to Speak at Lasell College, MA A Pakistani scholar specializing in women's rights will speak at Lasell College on March 30, 2010, as part of the SAR Speaker Series.
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03/17/2010, Congolese Scholar to Speak at Rollins College, FL Dr. Felix Kaputu is a Congolese scholar specializing in African and Comparative Literature. He will speak at Rollins College on March 17-19, 2010, as part of the SAR Speaker Series.
more »

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