Scholars at Risk Europe
News
SAR Europe granted observer status with Council of Europe's Steering Committee for Education Policy and Practice (CDPPE)
SAR Europe joins 14 other organisations, including the European University Association and the European Students’ Union, as an observer on the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Education Policy and Practice (CDPPE).
Date: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Today marks 90 days on hunger strike for Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace
Dr. Abdul Jalil Al-Singace is a Bahraini scholar and a retired professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Bahrain, sentenced to life in prison. After participating in a pro-democracy protest in March 2011, authorities arrested Dr. Al-Singace and he has been imprisoned ever since. Dr. Al-Singace was previously detained from August 2010 to February 2011 after delivering a speech on human rights. On July 8, 2021, Dr. Al-Singace began a hunger strike to protest his ill-treatment in Jau Prison and to demand the return of a book that was in his possession to his family.
Date: Tuesday, 05 October 2021
Recommendations concerning the draft European Parliament report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2021.
SAR Europe welcomes the inclusion of academic freedom in the draft European Parliament’s report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2021. However, in advance of the adoption of the report, given the strong attention to academic freedom evident in recent activities of the European Commission, including in the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024, SAR Europe recommends the incorporation of additional language, drawn in part from the European Parliament 2018 Recommendation on Defence of Academic Freedom in the EU's external action.
Date: Thursday, 30 September 2021
European Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law Report
The European Commission’s annual review of the status of the rule of law across all 27 EU Member States is an important initiative. SAR Europe particularly welcomes the clear acknowledgement in the 2021 rule of law report of the substantive threat posed by strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). SLAPPs work to silence public criticism through expensive, meritless legal proceedings, and scholars often find themselves amongst the victims of these oppressive tools. However, SAR Europe also recognises significant limitations to the annual reporting processes and makes the following suggestions for future reports.
Date: Tuesday, 07 September 2021
Afghanistan: Urgent appeal to European Governments & EU Institutions
SAR Europe coordinated a joint urgent appeal to European Governments and EU institutions, with specific recommendations for action to assist Afghanistan's scholars, students and civil society actors. The appeal was endorsed by 60 higher education networks, associations and organisations, with signatures still being added.
Date: Monday, 23 August 2021
SAR Europe joins CASE - the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe
This is a combined effort to stop lawsuits designed to block accountability & suppress critical speech.
Date: Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Inclusion of Researchers at Risk: A new 'Main Principle' applying to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Inclusion of Researchers at Risk: A new ‘Main Principle’ applying to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Date: Monday, 05 July 2021
HRDN Submission to the European Commission in the framework of the 2nd Annual Rule of Law Review Cycle
Today the Human Rights and Democracy Network Working Group on EU Internal Human Rights Policy published its submission to the European Commission on the framework of the 2nd Annual Rule of Law Review Cycle.
Date: Thursday, 24 June 2021
SAR Europe welcomes the European Parliament resolution on the EC’s 2020 Rule of Law Report
SAR Europe welcomes the report by MEP Domènec Ruiz Devesa which considered the European Commission’s 2020 Rule of law Report.
Date: Thursday, 24 June 2021
SAR to the Council of the EU Working Party on Human rights: Myanmar at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC 47)
In advance of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC 47), Scholars at Risk urges COHOM to address the widespread human rights violations by Myanmar’s military and police following the February 1 military coup and their disastrous impact on Myanmar’s higher education community.
Date: Friday, 04 June 2021