SAR Press Release:

Rwandan Human Rights Researcher to visit UC Davis as part of its Scholars at Risk program on Nov. 9

SAR-PR-05-08-30

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. This scholar will participate in a discussion with faculty and students about post-genocide Rwanda and his own work as a human rights researcher and activist.

This scholar is a human rights researcher, activist and journalist with extensive experience examining the genocide and social justice issues in Rwanda. During the past several years, the space for independent civil society has narrowed in Rwanda, and political groups, independent journalists and human rights defenders have been stifled. As a researcher seeking to investigate abuses in Rwanda, this scholar became a target for harassment.

He is currently a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, a visit jointly sponsored by the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund and UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center, a member of the Scholars at Risk Network. Due to ongoing security concerns, this scholar's name will not be made public.

This visit aims to highlight UC Davis' participation in the Scholars at Risk Network-a network of more than 100 universities and colleges working to promote academic freedom and defend the human rights of scholars worldwide. Scholars at Risk's primary activity is to arrange short-term visits to Network-member institutions for scholars who suffer because of their work, prominence, or the exercise of fundamental human rights. For more information, visit: http://scholarsatrisk.nyu.edu or call (212) 998-2179.

UC Davis hosted one of the first scholars placed through Scholars at Risk, a scholar from Bangladesh in 2002. In 2004, UC Davis hosted Mehrangiz Kar, an Iranian scholar assisted by Scholars at Risk, as a guest speaker. Dr. Beth Greenwood, Executive Director, International Programs, UC Davis School of Law is a member of the Scholars at Risk Network Advisory Board.

"UC Davis has been a great supporter of Scholars at Risk since the beginning. We are particularly grateful to the UC Davis Office of University Outreach and International Programs and the Law School for hosting this event," said Rob Quinn, director of Scholars at Risk.

The discussion will follow the screening of Hotel Rwanda to be shown on November 9 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The discussion will begin at 7:30 pm. All events will be held at 2011 King Hall on the UC Davis campus and are sponsored by University Outreach & International Programs, UC Davis Extension, the School of Law, and also by the Scholars at Risk Network.
This event is free and open to the UC Davis community. Non-UC Davis persons interested in attending the event should arrange access by contacting Nicole Ranganath, University Outreach & International Programs, at 1 (530) 754-8945.

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