SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Learn more.

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Date of Incident: March 07, 2023

Region & Country:Americas | Nicaragua

Institution(s):Universidad Cristiana Autonoma de Nicaragua | Universidad Juan Pablo II

On March 7, 2023, Nicaraguan authorities announced the seizure of the Universidad Juan Pablo II and the Universidad Cristiana Autonoma de Nicaragua, both of which are affiliated with the Catholic church. The Nicaraguan government claimed that the reason for the seizure ...

Attack Types: Other

Date of Incident: February 11, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | Iran

Institution(s):Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences

On February 11, 2023, it was reported that Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences (also referred to as Bandar Abbas University of Medical Sciences) had suspended a number of students for their alleged participation in protests over the death of a ...

Attack Types: Loss of Position

Date of Incident: February 03, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | Afghanistan

Institution(s):Various

On February 2, 2023, Taliban security forces detained journalism professor Ismail Mashal, apparently for his public criticism of the Taliban and their ban on women attending higher education institutions. In December 2022, Mashal drew attention when he tore his academic records ...

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances | Imprisonment

Date of Incident: January 27, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

Institution(s):University of Delhi

On January 27, 2023, police detained 24 students at the University of Delhi (DU) who attempted to screen a documentary about India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The documentary, titled “India: The Modi Question,” analyzes Prime Minister Modi’s handling of riots in ...

Attack Types: Imprisonment

Date of Incident: January 26, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

Institution(s):Central University of Rajasthan

On January 27, 2023, Central University of Rajasthan (CURAJ) students suspended 11 students, apparently for watching a documentary about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The documentary, titled “India: The Modi Question,” analyzes Prime Minister Modi’s handling of riots in the state ...

Attack Types: Loss of Position

Date of Incident: January 25, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

Institution(s):Jamia Millia Islamia University

On January 25, 2023, police detained at least a dozen students at Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) in connection with a planned documentary screening. The documentary, titled “India: The Modi Question,” analyzes Prime Minister Modi’s handling of riots in the state ...

Attack Types: Imprisonment

Date of Incident: January 23, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

Institution(s):Jawaharlal Nehru University

On January 23, 2023, administrators at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) threatened students with disciplinary action for organizing a documentary screening. Students also reported unidentified individuals throwing stones at them during the screening. The documentary, titled “India: The Modi Question,” analyzes Prime ...

Attack Types: Other

Date of Incident: January 23, 2023

Region & Country:Eastern Asia | Japan

Institution(s):Various Institutions

On January 23, 2023, eight universities in Japan temporarily closed after receiving bomb threats. At least 19 universities and hundreds of high schools received bomb threats and death threats via fax on the same day.  Starting on January 23, bomb and ...

Attack Types: Other

Date of Incident: January 17, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | Pakistan

Institution(s):Abdul Wali Khan University

On January 17, 2023, unidentified men attacked Akhtar Khan Wazir, a professor of political science at Abdul Wali Khan University. In addition to his work as an academic, Akhtar Khan is active in human rights and publicly comments on politics in ...

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances

Date of Incident: January 13, 2023

Region & Country:Americas | Colombia

Institution(s):Muntú Bantú Foundation

On January 13, 2023, Afro-Colombian historian Sergio Antonio Mosquera announced that he was forced to shut down the only African diasporic center and museum in Colombia, the Fundación Muntú Bantú (Muntú Bantú Foundation), after local gangs attempted to extort money ...

Attack Types: Other