Press Releases and Statements

Save Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali after more than seven years of imprisonment

Scholars at Risk sent the below letter to Swedish and Belgian authorities again, urging them to do everything in their power to secure the immediate release of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali. Take action by signing a letter here. Via email The

Free to Think 2023: Suppression of dissent and spread of illiberalism threatens academic freedom and endangers democracy

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2023 — Scholars at Risk (SAR) announces the release of Free To Think 2023, a report analyzing 409 attacks on the higher education community in 66 countries and territories, between July 1, 2022, and June 30,

Afghanistan: SAR files submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

On October 10th, 2023, SAR filed a submission on Afghanistan to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The submission, which was drafted by the Academic Freedom Advocacy Clinic at the University of Turino, analyzes the period leading up to,

SAR and the Gerda Henkel Foundation extend assistance to at-risk scholars from Sudan

September 12, 2023: Scholars at Risk (SAR) is pleased to announce a new partnership to assist at-risk scholars from Sudan. A generous gift of € 100,000 from the Gerda Henkel Foundation, a leader in supporting the humanities, cultural heritages and patrimonies, will

Joint Statement: Iraq: Release Kidnapped Scholar

The Iraqi government should take steps to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a US-based scholar who was kidnapped in Iraq on March 21, 2023, four organizations including Scholars at Risk said today. Tsurkov, a dual Russian and Israeli citizen,

China: SAR files submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

On July 18, 2023, SAR submitted a report on China to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The report, prepared with assistance from the Academic Freedom Legal Clinic of the Human Rights Centre of Ghent University, focuses on China’s

Joint Statement: Civil Society Organizations Condemn Sentencing of Egyptian Academic and Researcher Patrick George Zaki

Scholars at Risk joins over 40 civil society organizations in calling on Egyptian authorities to immediately release Patrick George Zaki from custody and drop all charges against him, after an emergency state security court sentenced Zaki to three years in

Joint Letter: Free Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace after Two Years of Hunger Strike

Scholars at Risk joined 18 organizations in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace. Dr. Al-Singace has now been on a hunger strike for over two years to protest the confiscation of his research documents. You

Save Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali after seven years of imprisonment

Scholars at Risk sent the below letter to Swedish and Belgian authorities, urging them to do everything in their power to secure the immediate release of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali. Today marks seven years of Dr. Djalali’s wrongful imprisonment. Via email

Russia: SAR files submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

On April 5, 2023, SAR submitted a report on Russia to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The report, prepared with assistance from McGill University’s Academic Freedom Advocacy Clinic, focuses on Russia’s compliance with its obligations under international law

UN Human Rights Council: 72 Countries urge greater cooperation to protect academic freedom

Scholars at Risk commends France, South Africa, and 70 other countries around the globe who came together today before the United Nations Human Rights Council to issue an historic Joint Statement in support of Academic Freedom.

Extend amnesty to remaining imprisoned scholars and students

Scholars at Risk issued the below letter to Iranian authorities, urging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to extend the amnesty granted to hundreds in prison to the scholars and students who remain in prison, including Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, Ms. Niloufar

Joint Statement: Bahrain’s 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly

Scholars at Risk joined Human Rights Watch and 20 other human rights organizations in urging Parliamentarians to publicly raise human rights and political freedom concerns in Bahrain ahead of the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly. The IPU Assembly is scheduled

Joint Letter: HRC52: Support consensus renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders

SAR joins 168 NGOs in urging all Member States at the United Nations Human Rights Council to support the consensus renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. Human rights defenders are people who act with humanity, serve

Joint Letter: Free Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace after a year and half of hunger strike

Scholars at Risk joined 21 organizations in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace. Today, Dr. Al-Singace’s turns 61, marking the 12th birthday he has spent in custody. Dr. Al-Singace has now been on a hunger