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
At-risk scholars need your support
Make Scholars at Risk part of your year-end 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 year-end 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 Risk, a 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
Scholars 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
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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 Threatre 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 |
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02/05/2010, Terror and academic freedom Since my arrest under the Terrorism Act in May 2008 at the University of Nottingham for possession of the so-called Al-Qaida Training Manual, I have been following the increasing pressure faced by lecturers regarding the teaching of terrorism. One example... 02/04/2010, Lecturer Sacked for Attending Dissident Funeral Dr. Abbas Kazemi, a Tehran University professor working in the Department of Social Sciences, has reportedly been dismissed from his position after chanting slogans during the funeral procession of prominent dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali... 02/04/2010, Once a science superpower, Russia is now a fading light Report highlights 'shocking' decline in output in traditional research strongholds. Phil Baty writes
Russia is no longer a world leader in science and intellectual thinking, according to a new report that details a "shocking" decline in its research... |
01/28/2010, "Human Rights and Justice in Post-Genocide Rwanda" at the University of Richmond Dr. Jean Marie Kamatali, a Rwandan law professor, will be visiting the University of Richmond as part of the SAR Speaker Series from January 27–29, 2010. He will participate in several events, including... 11/14/2009, 10 Years of Human Rights at the University of Iowa The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights will celebrate its 10th year this fall with a series of speakers, films and other activities, including a conference on November 13th and 14th. SAR scholar... 10/23/2009, SAR-NEAR Workshop on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy in the Balkan, Black Sea & Caspian Regions SAR-NEAR Workshop on Academic Freedom & University Autonomy in the Balkan, Black Sea & Caspian Regions will be held in Istanbul, Turkey in partnership with Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research... |