Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review, June 4 – 10, 2011

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 in 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 the Caucasus. Please see the following two articles for additional information relating to the killing of Dr. Sadikov:

Rector at Muslim University in Russia Is Shot to Death
Andrew E. Kramer, The New York Times, 6/7

Senior Dagestani Muslim Killed in a Hail of Bullets
Natalya Krainova, The Moscow Times, 6/8

Please find below a compilation of articles in the news media addressing academic freedom issues over the past week.

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The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here.  The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

BC asks for Irish project secrecy
Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe, 6/9

Annual Report 2011 of the Network of Concerned Historians
Antoon De Baets, Network of Concerned Historians, 6/8

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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review, May 28-June, 2011

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

Iraq: Protest Organizers Beaten, Detained
Human Rights Watch, 6/2

Sri Lanka’s army: In bigger barracks
The Economist, 6/2

Charge Against Professor Raises Questions About Academic Freedom in Thailand
Newley Purnell, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 6/1

Bahrain’s ‘progressive’ influence
Ali M. Latifi, Al Jazeera, 6/1

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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review, May 21-27

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here/a>. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

New bill will protect academic freedom
Dan Harrison, The Sydney Morning Herald, 5/27

Slår et flerkulturelt slag for akademisk frihet (in Norwegian)
Claudio Castello, Utrop, 5/27
Automatic translation via Google Translator

AAUP Report Denounces Suspension of Idaho State U. Faculty Senate
Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 5/26

Intervention From On High
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed, 5/26

Do it! Court greenlights academic freedom 100 days event in Zomba
Raphael Tenthani, The Maravi Post, 5/26

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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review, May 7-13

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

 

Yemen: 20 teachers killed since protests began

Education International, 5/12

Uzbek Students From Kyrgyzstan Having Problems In Russia
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 5/12

Fundamental Disagreements
Kevin Kiley, Inside Higher Ed, 5/12

After the Review
Dan Berrett, Inside Higher Ed, 5/11

Chaos at Home Stalls Tuition Aid for Libyan Students in U.S.
Dan Frosch, New York Times, 5/10

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Academic Freedom Media Review – April 16-22, 2011

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here.  The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

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Malawi: Political Science Professor Talks About Blogging Academic Freedom
Victor Kaonga, Global Voices Online, 4/22

DUBAI: Scholar’s detention threatens UAE’s reputation
Brendan O’Malley, University World News, 4/21

New crackdown on Iraqi academic elite
NEAR, 4/21

Bahrain’s Crackdown on Protest Extends to Academe, With Interrogations, Firings and Expulsions
David L. Wheeler, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 4/21

Anti-Israel, Anti-Semitic or Both?
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed, 4/21

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Academic Freedom Media Review, March 12-18

Here, somewhat late, is the Scholars at Risk Media Review. The delay is my fault, due to a busy weekend and Monday. I apologize.

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available at here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

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Scholars at Risk calls for letters: Bahraini professor re-imprisoned
Scholars at Risk, 3/18

Tennessee Lawmaker Wants Student Protesters Punished
Quick Takes, Inside Higher Ed, 3/18

Bahrain: University students attacked as violence escalates
Education International, 3/17

Dalhousie medical school to sell Saudis 10 seats
James Bradshaw, The Globe and Mail, 3/17

Iranian university lecturer banned from teaching after publishing critical articles
Network of Education & Academic Rights, 3/16

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SAR Academic Freedom Media Review: 26 February – 4 March 2011

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

Censorship or a Mirage?
Steve Kolowich, Inside Higher Ed, 3/4

The man from Kyrgyzstan
Corydon Ireland, Harvard Gazette, 3/3

‘Suspect’ Offa letter threatens sector’s freedom
Rebecca Attwood, Times Higher Education, 3/3

Academic Freedom and the Corporate University
Bill Gleason, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3/3

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Academic Freedom Media Review, February 19-25, 2011

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

YEMEN: Student protests gather strength after deaths
Ahmed Mohamoud Elmi, University World News, 2/25

Anti-Union Bill Passes Wisconsin Assembly
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/25

Saudi Intellectuals Demand Reforms
The New York Times, 2/24

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Revolution in the Arab World: Why We Can’t Just Stand Aside

Rhapsody playlist: Democratic Revolutions in the Middle East

Here’s a little play list I put together inspired by the wave of democratic revolutions sweeping the Arab world. The play list includes songs celebrating people power and a small sampling of songs from the region. Today, on receiving news from Libya, I added a few songs that go some way, insofar as anything can, to expressing the pure horror and sadness I felt on seeing images of death in the streets of Libya. The images have been shocking, the ruthlessness of the regime truly appalling. This music expresses the pure sadness and outrage I feel.

It is amazing and inspiring to watch these demonstrations! It has been horrifying and shocking to watch the response of the Libyan regime!

It is considered naive to suggest that foreign policy should be based on principle. We are told it is necessary to be Machiavellian in safeguarding our national interest, and in the realm of foreign policy, realpolitik often trumps principle. I disagree. Perhaps I am, indeed, naive, but I believe that democracy, with protection for the rights of the minorities, is a principle that trumps almost all, and our policy ought to reflect that.

In the current wave of peaceful democratic revolutions sweeping the Arab world, US support of the citizen demonstrators has been slow and tepid. This in spite of the fact that sticking to our principles and unequivocally supporting the pro-democracy demonstrators is what is in our best economic and strategic interest. To do otherwise is a risky strategy, a strategy that, should it not go the way proponents believe, will have grave consequences.

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Academic Freedom Media Review, February 12-18, 2011

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

AAUP Proposes New Protections for Politically Controversial Academics
Peter Schmidt, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/18

Allow extremist speech in universities, report advises
Jeevan Vasagar, The Guardian, 2/18

Protests Over Anti-Union Moves in Wisconsin and Ohio
Inside Higher Ed, 2/18

In Puerto Rico, Protests End Short Peace at University
Tamar Lewin, The New York Times, 2/17
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