International: Academic freedom reports worldwide

In Turkey, in an ongoing operation against Kurdish political parties, two academics were arrested and charged under the Anti-Terror Law, but there are concerns about fair trial standards. In the Philippines, educators and activists fear for their lives after the brutal murder of a university vice president and given rising - seemingly politically motivated - attacks and murders. In Bahrain, expressed concern about the fairness of the trial of a professor arrested and suspended from his position, amid a wider crackdown on academic freedom. In Laos rights groups are calling for the release of political prisoners, including four student leaders remain imprisoned 12 years after protests in the country was broken. And an American climate change scientist regarded as a victory for academic freedom and science a judgment for access by a pro-industry think-tank denied to his private e-mail.

Turkey: Anti terrorist Law - Academics arrested, charged

Two academics were arrested and charged under the Anti-Terror Law, in a mass action targeting Kurdish political parties in Istanbul, International PEN reported on 2 November.

Political scientist and constitutional law expert Professor Bursa Resale and prominent activist Rag Karakorum political was arrested on October 28 in an Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office activity is focused on the political party, the Kurdish Communities Union (KC).

They were arrested with 41 others, including journalists, writers and members of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BAP), which focuses on the Kurdish issue.

The arrests were part of a larger operation, started in 2009 and is still in progress, focuses Kurdish political parties including the KCK.

According to Oscan Kılıç, Resale and Zarakolu's lawyer, the academics were arrested in connection with lectures give them at the BDP Academy.

PEN, an organization that Zarakolu is a prominent member in Turkey, announced that both have been charged under the Anti Terror Law, adding that these costs are related to the exercise of their right to freedom of expression.

Resale, who works at Marmara University in Istanbul, is a BDP member. She sat on constitutional commission the party's aim to draw up a new constitution, and is part of his congregation. She was a conference on "controversial issues in the history of the Turkish Republic" at Istanbul Bilge University attended on 29 October.

Zarakolu is an academic, author and publisher, known for his work in defense of freedom of expression and minority rights. He is the head of the committee's Turkish Publishers' Union for the freedom of publication. In the days leading up to his arrest, he fights for the release of his son, Denis Zarakolu, who three weeks earlier arrested, also under the KCK operation.

On October 31, released a Istanbul court of a decision ordering 44 detainees jailed while waiting for their trial.

Concern was expressed about the accessibility for all detainees fair trial standards, including a reasonable waiting for to start their route.

The KCK seen by the authorities as the civilian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which prohibits and regarded by the government as a terrorist organization. Despite official claims that the BDP affiliated or influenced by the PKK, the authorities continue to arrest and harass its members.

Among the early KCK operation arrests were lawyer and author Muharrem EBay, arrested in December 2009 and is still in custody. His trial is ongoing and is being monitored by PEN.

* Additional sources: Network of Concerned Historians.

Philippines: Academics, union members targeted for attack

After the recent murder of Polytechnic University of the Philippines Vice President Attorney Cesar Augusto F, expressed concern about the increasing number of killings targeting teachers and activists union in the Philippines, Education International reported on 2 November.

Cesar was brutally murdered in an ambush by two motorcycle riding gunmen on October 12 while driving home after a meeting in late Manila. The murder is still under investigation by the police Manila district.

Academics, teachers and activists union, the recent target of persecution and killings in the Philippines, in what appears to be politically motivated attacks, forcing them into a climate of fear to live and work. These attacks represent a clear violation of the basic right to life and education.

The Alliance of the teachers, a teacher union affiliated Education International strongly condemned the recent murder and warned that if the police failed to stop the killings, it would be a clear message to the academy that impunity still rampant in the country and that the authorities are unable to protect them.

Education International asked for impartial investigation of the murder and called on the authorities in the Philippines to protect the teaching staff, including university students and ensure staff.

Bahrain: Academic's trial due to start

The trial of Professor Maraud Jerome, Chairman of the telecommunications engineering department at Dahlia University in Manama, was due to begin on November 2, but concerns have been raised about the fairness, scholars at Risk reported on 1 November.

Jerome, who has a PhD in telecommunication network of the University of Kent, England ', was arrested on 14 April and detained for five months before being released on bail on September 12, but charged with "participation in a unauthorized rally ".

On the night of Jerome’s arrest, it was reported that his family suffered threats and harassment from police officers who broke into his house where he was beaten and then to an undisclosed location.

During his months in detention, he contacted his family and denied an attorney and have no access to medical care despite suffering hepatitis C.

Scholars at Risk, an international network of universities and colleges committed to promoting academic freedom, has called on the authorities to ensure Bahraini trial Jerome’s meet internationally recognized standards for a fair trial. Bahrain is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The arrest of Jerome and his expulsion from his university position is part of a larger crackdown on intellectuals, academics and students the February and March protests calling for democracy and reforms in the kingdom.

Hundreds of students and academics questioned, suspended, expelled and arrested for their alleged participation in anti-government protests.

Calling rights groups free student leaders: Laos

Twelve years after the crackdown on protests student in Laos, the rights groups called for the release of all political prisoners - including four student leaders who are already imprisoned for participating in peaceful protests, Radio Free Asia reported on 25 October.

Sang Alou Phengphanh, Bouavanh Chanmanivong, Keechi and Thongpaseuth Kenakoun four student leaders and members of the Lao Students Movement for Democracy, was arrested in 1999 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for their participation in the protest, which they ' political and human rights reforms and an end to corruption.

Nouamkham Khamphylavong, president of the student movement, who managed to escape the oppression and is currently in exile in Seattle, has expressed concern about the harsh and degrading detention conditions faced by those who remained.

She fears for their personal welfare and mental well-being, especially given the uncertainty surrounding their case.

It was reported that the health Thongpaseuth Kenakoun's plummeted and Khamphouvieng Sisa-Ath, another student leader sent prison with the group in the prison died following a penalty by the guards.

Human rights organizations, including the Lao Students Movement for Democracy and exiled dissidents, an appeal to the international community and international organizations to pressure Laos Chummily Seasoned President and Prime Minister Thong sing Thammavong his the student leaders released after their 12 years in prison.

An impartial investigation into the death of Khamphouvieng Sisa-Ath is also requested.

The Lao Students' Movement for Democracy, also known as the Movement of 26 October 1999, still active in Laos students, but its activities should avoid underground remains crackdown by the country's authorities.

The student movement continues to call for freedom and democracy in Laos, which is still strictly controlled by the Communist Party.

US: Climate scientist wins case over private email access

Michael Mann, a climate change scientist, a legal battle revocation of a previous authorization to look at his University of Virginia private e-mails, the Guardian reported on 2 November.

On November 1, Judge Gaylord Finch of Manassas in Virginia ruled against an attempt by the think tank American tradition Institute (ATI), known for his pro-industry positions, access to thousands of Mann's private e-mail.

University of Virginia, Mann's former employer, has also been asked to re-examine its decision mainly criticized among scientists, access to thousands of private e-mail gives ATI's lawyers before they went public.

In response to the decision Mann, now works at Pennsylvania State University, called it a "good day" for academic freedom and the sciences more generally.

Increasingly, scientists asked private documents and correspondence released, but many consider such requests as part of an attempt to intimidate them and restrict their research.

Mann's work on the "hockey stick graph, showing a sudden rise in global warming, attracted criticism from climate science skeptics.

Although he has several times been cleared of any scientific misconduct he is still accused by ATI and Virginia's attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, of manipulated data to attract research grants.

Legally, Mann had an agreement on email access to the university and the ATI to come 20 December. Otherwise, the judge will impose one.

* Noemi Bout is a program officer at the Network for Education and Academic Rights hand, a non-profit organization that facilitates the rapid global transfer of accurate information in response to violations of academic freedom and human rights in education.


Comment:

Very sad in all human freedom and democracy that such no other ways are followed and achieve social justice for all.