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Moroccan Historian Denied Travel for Conference Faces Criminal Charges
Professor Maati Monjib, a Moroccan historian, was banned from traveling out of the country to attend a professional conference in Spain. He began a hunger strike, became ill and was hospitalized. The ban was lifted and hunger strike ended but Professor Monjib and several of his colleagues were charged with “harming internal state security,” a charge for which he can receive five years in prison. … continue reading >>
CCS Thanks US Officials for Defense of Scientific Freedom
The Committee of Concerned Scientists extends support and gratitude to the Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, and the Kathryn Sullivan, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for their refusal to allow politics to interfere with free scientific inquiry and in defense of scientific freedom. December 14, 2015 The Honorable Penny Pritzker Secretary of … continue reading >>
Chinese-American Hydrologist Terminated by US Government with No Evidence
Sherry Chen, a Chinese-American hydrologist, was terminated from her position at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration after an investigation as a spy for China found no grounds for charges. The Committee of Concerned Scientists wrote to the Deputy Director of the National Weather Service at NOAA requesting that Ms. Chen be reinstated in her position as an hydrologist. The … continue reading >>
Russian Librarian Placed Under House Arrest for Allegedly “inciting hatred”
Natalia Sharina, a Russian librarian, was placed under house arrest for allegedly “inciting hatred” because the library contained books banned under Russian anti-extremism laws. Ms. Sharina was detained and may be tried as an attempt to intimidate librarians. The Committee of Concerned Scientists has written to President Putin requesting that he take all steps necessary to ensure that charges … continue reading >>
Letter of Commendation to US Ambassador for Support of Detained Human Rights Attorneys
The Committee of Concerned Scientists wrote a letter to commend the US Ambassador to China, The Honorable Max Baucus, for taking a position and making a public statement in support of the detained Human Rights attorneys in China. Specifically, he mentioned the two attorneys for whom we have advocated in the past – Wang Yu who was the attorney for Ilham Tohti and Li Heping who was the attorney for … continue reading >>
CCS Urges Saudi King to Pardon Blogger
CCS wrote to the King of Saudi Arabia, requesting a pardon for Raif Badawi, a Saudi Arabian blogger who was sentenced to a 10-year prison term as well as weekly floggings for "insulting Islam through electronic channels." By subjecting Badawi to torture, Saudi Arabia violates agreements that it is party to: The UN Convention Against Torture and the Arab Charter on Human Rights. November 30, … continue reading >>
Highlights of 2015 Cases
Throughout 2015, CCS advocated for 15 cases in behalf of scientists, academics and doctors in 10 countries. The following are highlights of our cases so far. The situation in China has become dire for Human Rights attorneys. We advocated for two of them who defended CCS clients in past cases. In Iran, the situation has not improved for Omid Kokabee but we have continued to write in his … continue reading >>
Omid Kokabee Hospitalized
Omid Kokabee has been hospitalized with severe stomach pain and bleeding after spending almost 5 years of his 10 year sentence in Tehran's Evin prison. Related articles Untreated Kidney Stones Sends Imprisoned Physicist to Hospital (iranhumanrights.org) … continue reading >>
Physicist and Human Rights Activist Narges Mohammadi Arrested Again in Iran
Narges Mohammadi, a physicist, engineer and human rights advocate has again been arrested for allegedly meeting with the European Union's Foreign Policy Chief while the EU official was visiting Iran. CCS is requesting that Ruhani examine the case and release Narges, particularly due to her life-threatening health conditions. October 28, 2015 Hasan Fereidun Ruhani President, The Islamic … continue reading >>
Nasser bin Ghaith Re-Arrested in Abu Dhabi
Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith, a prominent academic and Economist, was re-arrestd in Abu Dhabi allegedly for criticizing Egypt. bin Ghaith was re-arrested by state security agents on August 18 when leaving his office. He has not been heard from since that time. Neither his attorney nor his family members have heard from him nor have they received any information on his whereabouts or charges against … continue reading >>
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