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Scholars at Risk welcomes the release of two individuals: Vietnamese professor of mathematics, Pham Minh Hoang, who was released from prison on January 13, 2012; and Yassin Ziadeh, the brother of Syrian scholar and activist Radwan Ziadeh. Yassin was released from detention on November 5, 2011. More information on each follows below.

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned for Professor Masaud Jahromi, Chairman of Telecommunication Engineering Department at Ahlia University, Manama, Bahrain. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure that his December 22nd hearing is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process and fair trial, in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under international law.

In the United States, it’s unthinkable that a professor could be exiled, imprisoned or killed for exercising academic freedom. But in an increasingly unstable political world, it happens frequently.

Scholars at Risk welcomes the news that Professor Nasser bin Ghaith of the United Arab Emirates was granted a presidential pardon yesterday and was released from prison after eight months in detention.

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned about reports that Professor Büşra Ersanlı, a professor of political science at Marmara University in Istanbul, has been arrested. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene in Professor Ersanlı’s case and to ensure that it proceeds in a manner consistent with Turkey’s obligations under domestic and international law, in particular internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial, free...

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned for Professor Masaud Jahromi, Chairman of Telecommunication Engineering Department at Ahlia University, Manama, Bahrain. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure that his November 2nd hearing is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process and fair trial, in accordance with Bahrain’s obligations under international law.

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned for Mr. Ramin Zibaei, a scholar of psychology and dean at the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) in Tehran. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure Mr. Zibaei’s well-being and access to family and counsel in custody; to ensure that he receives a fair and timely appeal hearing; to ensure that that any convictions or sentences related to his academic activities or association with the Baha'i Institute...

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned over reports that Professor Aziz Bari, a scholar of constitutional law, is under investigation for exercising his right to free expression. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene in support of Professor Aziz, to seek an investigation of the apparent abuse of Professor Aziz's rights and to direct that a full, public report on the incident be made available as speedily as practical.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about Mr. Yassin Ziadeh, brother of scholar Mr. Radwan Ziadeh, who is being held incommunicado and without charge since August 30, 2011. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene by disclosing his location and any any charges against him and to ensure his well-being, including immediate access to medical treatment, family and legal counsel, pending his earliest release.

Scholars at Risk celebrates International Academic Freedom Day, October 5th, with the conclusion of a two day conference on “Courage to Think.”* The conference celebrated the 10th anniversary of Scholars at Risk’s efforts to protect threatened scholars and promote academic freedom. In the last 10 years, Scholars at Risk members, partners and friends have helped over 400 threatened scholars find safety and renewal at network campuses, and helped nearly 600 more with counsel, referrals and other...

Scholars at Risk is pleased to invite students, faculty and friends to the “Courage to Think” dialogues featuring a keynote session with Aryeh Neier, President of the Open Society Foundations, former President of Human Rights Watch, and recipient of the inaugural Scholars at Risk “Courage to Think Leadership Award” in conversation with Jonathan Fanton, FDR Fellow, Roosevelt House, Hunter College and former President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The New School.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about Mr. Ramin Zibaei, a scholar of psychology and dean at the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education in Tehran, who has been arrested and detained for several months. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities intervene by reexamining his case and, pending his earliest release, by ensuring his well-being, including access to family, legal representation of his choosing and medical treatment.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about Professor Masaud Jahromi, Chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Ahlia University, Manama, Bahrain, who has been arrested and detained for four months. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being pending his earliest release, including ensuring regular access to the legal counsel of his choosing, to family and to medical treatment.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about Professor Pham Minh Hoang, who will face trial on August 10, 2011 on charges of “attempting to overthrow the socialist government”. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to examine the circumstances of his detention; to ensure his access to legal counsel, family and medical care, pending his earliest release; and to ensure that Professor Hoang’s case is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally...

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about reports that Mr. Omid Kokabee, a doctoral student and physicist, has been wrongfully detained. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to examine the circumstances of his detention and, pending his release, ensure access to medical care, family and legal counsel.

Scholars at Risk welcomes the release of two public intellectuals: Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was released from detention on June 22nd; and Iranian scholar Emadeddin Baghi, who was released from Evin Prison in Tehran on June 20th. More information on each follows below.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about reports that Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bahrain, Isa Town, has been sentenced to life in prison. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being, to ensure that Dr. Al-Singace receives a fair opportunity to appeal this most recent sentence before an impartial tribunal, and to ensure that any charges or convictions related to...

Scholars at Risk would like to draw attention to the killing of Dr. Maksud I. Sadikov, rector of the Institute of Theology and International Relations, Russia. According to media reports Mr. Sadikov was shot to death in a car in Makhachkala, the capital of the Dagestan region, on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. The motives for this apparent assassination are not clear at this time but seem to relate to Dr. Sadikov’s efforts to promote moderate religious education in the region to counter terrorism and extremism...

In advance of this week’s U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue, the Scholars at Risk Network expresses concern for artist Ai Weiwei and the many other artists, scholars, writers and intellectuals who reportedly have been detained in China in recent months. Scholars at Risk joins with the many local, national and international human rights organizations, academic and artistic associations, and individuals calling on authorities to reexamine these detentions and urging the earliest release of these individuals....

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned for Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith, a scholar and lecturer of economics at the Abu Dhabi branch of France’s Paris-Sorbonne University. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene in Dr. bin Ghaith’s case, to direct the government to disclose his whereabouts and condition, and to ensure his well-being—including regular access to family, to legal counsel of his choosing and to medical treatment—pending his earliest release....

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about reports that Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bahrain, Isa Town, has been reimprisoned. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being pending his earliest release, including ensuring regular access to family, to legal counsel of his choosing and to medical treatment.

On 23 May 2011, fifteen Norwegian higher education institutions will launch the ‘Scholars at Risk—Norway Section’ with a ceremony at the University College Oslo (HiO).

Scholars at Risk welcomes the release of Professor Abduljalil Al-Singace from prison in Manama, Bahrain. He was one of many prisoners released on February 23rd by order of the King of Bahrain. Professor Al-Singace had been held in detention since August 2010, including a pretrial period during which he was held at an undisclosed location for 15 days without access to legal counsel or to family.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned over reports that Dr. Alyaksandr Fyaduta, a scholar, journalist and lecturer at the European Humanities University, is being held in prison. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being pending his earliest release, including ensuring immediate and regular access to family, to legal counsel of his choosing and to medical treatment.

Ja’far Kazemi, a textbook lithographer at Amir Kabir University in Tehran, was executed earlier this morning, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported on January 24.

Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned over reports that Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh, respected human rights lawyer and winner of the first annual Human Rights Prize awarded by Human Rights International, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, barred from practicing law and banned from leaving Iran for the next 20 years. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to reexamine her case and, pending her earliest release, ensure her well-being, including access to family, legal...

On Human Rights Day, Scholars at Risk recognizes Chinese scholar, writer and activist Liu Xiaobo as well as the many other scholars who work to promote human rights across the globe. Earlier today, Liu Xiaobo was awarded, in absentia, the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to human rights in China and for his courage to think and write in spite of continued pressure from authorities. He remains in prison. Today especially, Scholars at Risk joins with the many national and international human rights...

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about Mr. Emadeddin Baghi, a scholar, writer, investigative journalist and recent recipient of the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, who was most recently imprisoned on December 5th on charges seemingly based on his exercise of fundamental rights of free inquiry and free expression, conduct protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is signatory....

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is concerned over reports that Professor Richard Shapiro, a scholar and professor of anthropology, was recently denied permission to enter India. On November 4, SAR issued a letter urging authorities to inquire into the matter and to explain publicly the circumstances of any restrictions on Professor Shapiro’s travel or, if there are no official restrictions, to expedite approval of any future travel requests.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned for Svyatoslav Bobyshev and Yevgeny Afanasyev, professors at Baltic State Technical University in St. Petersburg, Russia. SAR has learned that Bobyshev and Afanasyev have been detained since March without a trial or formal charges issued against them. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to reconsider the professors’ arrests and to ensure their well-being pending their earliest release, including regular access to legal...

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the current treatment of Professor Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, a mechanical engineer at the University of Bahrain in Isa Town, who is being detained by the National Security Apparatus of Bahrain.

October 5, 2010, New York and London: In celebration of International Academic Freedom Day, in solidarity with, and on the occasion of, World Teachers’ Day, the Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) and Scholars at Risk (SAR) announce the launch of a new website for the promotion and defence of academic freedom: www.academicfreedom.info/workshops.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned for Nasrin Sotoudeh, respected human rights lawyer whose clients include Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi and winner of the first annual Human Rights Prize awarded by Human Rights International.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned for Emadeddin Baghi, a scholar, journalist and recent recipient of the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. After spending nearly four and a half years in Iranian prisons over the last decade, Mr. Baghi is currently facing a new six year prison sentence for his professional journalism activities. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging the appropriate authorities to ensure that Mr. Baghi receives a fair appeal hearing and...

September 20, 2010 – A scientist fleeing persecution has taken up a research position in Ireland, bringing to five the total number of threatened scholars who have recently arrived in Ireland to find sanctuary at Irish universities.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is concerned about the arrest and detention of Professor Pham Minh Hoang, a mathematics lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Polytechnic Institute. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging authorities to disclose Professor Hoang’s current location, examine the circumstances of Professor Hoang’s detention and, pending his release, ensure his access to medical care, family and legal counsel.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the arrest and detention of Professor Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, a mechanical engineer at University of Bahrain in Isa Town. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging authorities to explain publicly the reasons for Prof. Al-Singace’s detention, disclose the whereabouts of Prof. Al-Singace and ensure his access to medical care, family and legal counsel.

Five scholars threatened with persecution have recently arrived in the Netherlands to take up temporary positions of sanctuary at Dutch universities. The scholars—professors, researchers and scientists—were placed at their host universities through a project organized by the University Assistance Fund (UAF) and the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR). On Sunday June 27, the fifth scholar, an Iraqi scientist, arrived in the Netherlands to continue his research in safety. The scholar, whose life had been...

Scholars at Risk raises concern about apparent intimidation of Ukrainian university officials and students.

Scholars at Risk welcomes the release of Mr. Emadeddin Baghi from Evin Prison in Iran on Wednesday, June 23, 2010.

Scholars at Risk is deeply concerned about the apparent murder of Professor Nazima Talib, an assistant professor of media and journalism in the Department of Mass Communications at the University of Balochistan in Quetta, Pakistan, and urges investigation into the killing.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned for Emadeddin Baghi, a scholar, journalist and recent recipient of the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders currently held in Evin Prison. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging authorities to inquire into the matter and to urge the appropriate authorities to intervene to ensure his well-being pending his earliest release, including ensuring immediate and regular access to legal counsel of his choosing, to family and to any...

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is concerned over public reports that Professor Cui Weiping, a prominent scholar and translator, was denied permission to leave China to participate in an academic conference in the United States. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging authorities to inquire into the matter and to urge the appropriate authorities to explain publicly the circumstances of any restrictions on Professor Cui’s travel or, if there are no official restrictions, to expedite approval of any...

March 4, 2010 – Herman Winick, SAR Scholar-Advocate and Professor emeritus at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and the Applied Physics Department of Stanford University, accepted the 2010 Andrei Sakharov Prize at the meeting of the American Physical Society (APS) last week in Washington D.C. Also accepting the award were Joseph Birman of the City College of New York and the City University of New York, and Morris (Moishe) Pripstein of the National Science Foundation. The Andrei Sakharov...

Scholars at Risk is deeply concerned about the apparent murder of Dr. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi, a professor of physics at Tehran University in Iran. Although complete information is not available, according to reports Dr. Ali-Mohammadi was killed by an explosion outside his home on January 12, 2010. The motives for the apparent assassination are not clear at this time, although there is speculation centered on Dr. Ali-Mohammadi's role as a researcher in nuclear physics. Whatever the motives, it is...

Protests in Iran are radicalizing.

Short press releases on academic freedom: -Racial gaps and Academic performance - Student Can't Be Barred From Promoting Downloading -Controversial Provost Quits at Radford -China Warns Students About 'Risky' Colleges in Australia -U. of Edinburgh Gets Personal to Get Green - gender Gap in Canada

Twenty people have been offered places to study at Bristol's University of the West of England in the six months since a new centre was set up to help asylum-seekers, migrants and refugees.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) 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 equal concern. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails respectfully urging authorities to reconsider his case and ensure that an appeal be heard.

The Irish Section of Scholars at Risk was launched by Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Shirin Ebadi at an event in the Robert Emmett Theatre in Trinity College, Dublin, yesterday (22/09). 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.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about reports indicating that Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh, a respected international scholar and researcher, has been wrongfully detained and is being held incommunicado in an undisclosed location. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails respectfully urging authorities to re-examine the circumstances of his detention.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is alarmed at recent reports that prominent Chinese Uighur economist Professor Ilham Tohti has been detained. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails respectfully urging authorities to examine the circumstances of Professor Tohti's detention and to disclose his whereabouts.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the case of Professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok who was recently charged under Thailand’s lèse majesté law. Those found guilty under lèse majesté laws in Thailand may face up to fifteen years in prison. The charges relate to passages in his book in which he is critical of the 2006 military coup in Thailand. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails respectfully urging authorities to drop the charges against Professor Ungpakorn...

Scholars at Risk and the Network for Education and Academic Rights express grave concern about the apparent detention of Dr. Mehdi Zakerian, a prominent scholar of international relations and international law, and an Assistant Professor at Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

This fellowship is to assist scholars at risk. The Prins Fellow will teach two courses in the International Education Program on human rights education and civic education.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the arrest and detention of Professor Matrouk al-Faleh, a political scientist at the King Saud University in Riyadh. SAR asks for letters, faxes and emails urging authorities to explain publicly the reasons for Prof. al-Faleh’s detention and requesting assistance in securing his timely release.

New York-- The Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network and European Humanities University (EHU) will convene a meeting and symposium on “Defending the University: Academic Freedom in Central and Eastern Europe” in Vilnius, Lithuania on June 20-21, 2008.

Scholars at Risk requests action in response to the recent closure of the European University in St. Petersburg.

Jean Marie Kamatali, an academic from Rwanda assisted by Scholars at Risk, will give a public lecture on human rights in post-conflict societies on March 6, 2008. The event will be held from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Davis Learning Center auditorium on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is deeply concerned about the trial and travel restrictions facing Mehrnoushe Solouki, a graduate student and joint French and Iranian citizen who has been kept from leaving Iran. SAR calls for letters, faxes and emails calling for authorities to explain publicly the reasons for Ms. Solouki's trial and travel restrictions and to lift these restrictions immediately.

Thanks to the generous support of the Provost’s Office and the Vivian G. Prins Foundation, Scholars at Risk announces a call for nominations for the “Vivian G. Prins Global Scholars” fellowships. The fellowships are available to support temporary visits to NYU of up to one year by professors, lecturers, researchers and other intellectuals who have shown potential as important contributors to their discipline and community, and who suffer intimidation or persecution in their home country or country...

Letter sent by SAR to Fiscal General in Guatemala imploring investigation into threats against members of the FAFG, a group of forensic anthropologists who carry out exhumations of individuals who were massacred during a counter-insurgency in the 1980s.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the arrest and detention of Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh, a respected international scholar and researcher. SAR calls for letters, faxes and emails calling for authorities to explain publicly the reasons for Dr. Tajbakhsh’s detention and to work for his immediate release.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the arrest and detention of Dr. Haleh Esfandiari, a prominent international scholar and director of the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. SAR calls for letters, faxes and emails calling for authorities to publicly explain the reasons for Dr. Esfanidari’s arrest and detention and to work for her immediate release.

Rollins College will host a scholar from Zimbabwe* assisted by Scholars at Risk as a visiting guest lecturer on February 12-14, 2007.

Scholars at Risk is delighted to announce a new grant of UK£250,000 (US$475,000) from the Lisbet Rausing Charitable Fund to support international outreach.

Dr. Shemeem Burney Abbas, a visiting professor at Purchase College, SUNY will give a public lecture on "Islamic State, Heresy and Freedom of Speech" on March 2 at Purchase.

New York -- The Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) and the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) will convene a meeting on academic freedom on November 11, 2005 at the UK Universities' offices in London.

New York, NY - A human rights researcher, activist and journalist from Rwanda will visit the University of California at Davis as part of its Scholars at Risk program on November 9.

New York, NY - A seminar entitled "Courage to Think: Displaced Intellectuals in the US, Voices from Scholars at Risk" featuring visiting formerly-threatened intellectuals from Liberia, Pakistan and Rwanda will be held at New York University on September 19.