Endangered Scholars Worldwide

Endangered Scholars Worldwide Social Research wasfounded by a group ofscholars known as the University in Exile, refugeesfrom Nazi Europe whofound a home at the New School. In each issue we publish the names and details ofscholars, researchers, and students who have been threatened or imprisoned, along with ways to offer them support. We see this effort as consistent not onlywith our own history as ajournal but with the need to call attention to the increasing and often brutal attempts to silence our colleagues around the world. We urge readers to write letters on behalf of these scholars, researchers, and students. Sample letters can befound on our website at www.newschool.edu/ cps/endangered-scholars. Ifyou are aware of a scholar or student whose case you believe we should investigate, please contact us at esw@newschool.edu. The information in this report is current, to the best of our knowledge, as ofMarch 20, 2013. Additional information and more recent information about many of these cases may be available on our website at hUp://www.newschool. edu/cps/endangered-scholars/. SCHOLARS AND RESEARCHERS: NEW AND CONTINUING CASES BAHRAIN Previously featured scholars from Bahrain who rem ain in prison include j a l i l a a l -s a l m a n and m a h d i ‘ i s s a m a h d i a b u d h e e b , both board members of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association, sentenced to six months and five years, respectively, on October 21, 2012, on charges of “inciting hatred against the regime” and “calling to overthrow and Endangered Scholars W orldw ide v change the regime by force”; d r . a b d u l -j a l i l a l -s i n g a c e , professor of engineering at the University of Bahrain, sentenced to life in prison on charges of training and financing a terrorist organization; and r u l a a l -s a f f e r , assistant professor at the College o f Health Sciences and head of the Bahrain Nursing Society, sentenced on September 29, 2011, to 15 years in prison. Appeals to: His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa Office of His Majesty the King P.O. Box 555 Rifa’a Palace Kingdom of Bahrain Fax: +973 176 64 587 Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Al-Khalifa Ministry ofJustice and Islamic Affairs P.O. Box 450 Al-Manama Bahrain Fax: +973 175 31 284 CAMEROON e n o h m e y o m e s s e , a writer, political activist, historian, and founder of the Cameroon Writers Association, was sentenced to seven years in prison on December 27, 2012, on charges of illegally trafficking gold. During his trial Meyomesse was not allowed to testify on his own behalf and no witnesses or evidence were presented. Meyomesse’s home was searched and he was arrested in November 2011, one month after he had unsuccessfully run for president of Cameroon with the opposition party, the United National Front, challenging President Paul Biya’s 30-year rule. He was held in solitary confinement and complete darkness for 30 days, which has left him partially blind. In June 2012, given the lack of evidence, all charges against Meyomesse were dropped, but in July 2012 a judge ordered a six-month extension of his detention to allow the pros­ ecution to gather more evidence. He was then charged with theft and illeDr . Fatima Al-Balushi Minister of Human Rights and Social Development, Acting Minister of Health Ministry of Human Rights and Development Manama Kingdom of Bahrain vi social research gal trafficking of gold, despite lack of witnesses or evidence. Meyomesse maintains his innocence and alleges that his arrest is the result of his political writings. Appeals to: His Excellency Paul Biya President of the Republic of Cameroon Office of the President P.O. Box 100 Yaounde Republic of Cameroon Dr. Chemuta Divine Banda Chairman National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms B.P. 20317 Yaounde Cameroon Phone: +237 22 22 61 17 Fax : +237 22 22 60 82 Email: cndhl@iccnet.cm CHINA p r o f e s s o r i...