Press Releases

Free to Think 2018: New Report Documents Global Crisis of Attacks on Higher Education

Scholars at Risk (SAR) announces the release of Free to Think 2018, a report analyzing 294 reported attacks on higher education communities in 47 countries, from September 1, 2017, to August 31, 2018.

Scholars at Risk Launches European Office

November 28, 2018 – Scholars at Risk (SAR) and Maynooth University, Ireland, join together to announce the launch of Scholars at Risk Europe, the new European office of the global SAR network. SAR Europe will support and coordinate the activities of

UAE: Release PhD Candidate Matthew Hedges

An Emirati court has convicted and sentenced Durham University PhD candidate Matthew Hedges to life in prison, in apparent retaliation for research he was conducting in the UAE for his dissertation. SAR has issued the below letter to Emirati officials

Scholars at Risk Network Establishes SAR-United States Section

U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION UNITES IN COMMITMENT TO PROTECT THREATENED SCHOLARS AND PROMOTE ACADEMIC FREEDOM New York, New York, 10 October 2018 – With the momentum and commitment from its U.S. membership base of over 150 institutions, the Scholars at Risk

Thailand: Drop Case Against Peaceful Conference Attendees

Scholars at Risk has issued an appeal to Thai authorities on behalf of a group of five scholars and students facing potential prosecution in connection with their attendance at the 2017 International Conference on Thai Studies.

Scholars at Risk Network Gathers in Berlin for 2018 Global Congress

Berlin, Germany | May 3, 2018 – The Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network 2018 Global Congress, The University and the Future of Democracy, was held in Berlin April 23-26 as a joint venture of Scholars at Risk, the Alexander von

Turkey’s Academics for Peace to Receive 2018 Courage to Think Defender Award

Scholars at Risk has announced Turkey’s Academics for Peace as recipients of the 2018 Courage to Think Defender Award, for their extraordinary efforts in building academic solidarity and in promoting the principles of academic freedom, freedom of inquiry, and the

UAE: One year on, award-winning human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor’s whereabouts remain unknown

The authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) should reveal the whereabouts of prominent human rights defender and citizen-journalist Ahmed Mansoor and release him immediately and unconditionally, over two dozen human rights organisations said today.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission calls for Prisoners of Conscience Day

Congressmen Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and James P. McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, along with six other members of Congress, have introduced House Resolution 750 calling for the designation of a “Prisoners of Conscience Day”.

Urgent Threats to Academic Freedom in Thailand

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is concerned about recent human rights violations in Thailand that threaten academic freedom and the higher education sector more generally.

Two years since Peace Petition, attacks on higher education sector continue

Scholars at Risk has issued a letter to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressing concern for continuing, severe pressures on Turkey's higher education sector and urging his support in reversing these actions.

Wrongfully convicted scholar Ahmadreza Djalali denied appeal of death sentence

According to family sources, an Iranian court has confirmed the death sentence of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, a scholar of disaster medicine who was convicted and sentenced on October 21, in apparent retaliation for his peaceful exercise of the right to

SUNY Stony Brook writer arrested in Cameroon over article criticizing president

On December 7, 2017, Patrice Nganang, a scholar of comparative literature at Stony Brook University (SUNY Stony Brook), was reportedly denied exit from Cameroon and arrested by state authorities, in apparent retaliation for an article he wrote criticizing the Cameroonian

SAR demands respect for due process as Academics for Peace go on trial

Scholars at Risk has issued a letter of appeal in support of scholars being prosecuted for their endorsement of the "Academics for Peace" petition.

European University Association calls on Iran to release Swedish resident scholar sentenced to death

Brussels, Belgium — In a letter dated November 13, 2017, the European University Association (EUA) has called on Iranian authorities to reverse the death sentence against Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali and to ensure his timely release. Dr. Djalali, an Iranian-born resident