Endangered Scholars Worldwide

Abstract

Endangered Scholars Worldwide Ebby Abramson and Dolunay Bulut The information in this quarterly print report is current as of August 20, 2021. The situation of scholars and students around the world changes on a daily basis. For the most current information and ways in which you can be involved in calling for the freedom of endangered schol- ars and students, please visit us online at www.endangeredscholarsworldwide.net or follow us at www.facebook.com/endangeredscholars. In these pages we introduce new cases that have come to our attention over the past three months and provide basic information about continuing cases—a description of charges and potential or actual reported sentences. If you are aware of a scholar or student whose case you believe we should investigate, please contact us at esw@newschool.edu. NEW AND CONTINUING CASES AFGHANISTAN For the most current information, please visit www.endangeredscholarsworldwide.net/afghanistan or scan the QR code. On August 13, 2021, the Taliban completed their sweep of Afghanistan as they took the capital city of Kabul just weeks before the US and coali- tion forces were set to officially end their two-decades-long war. The deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is exacerbating pre- existing challenges, including poverty, hunger, and escalating violence in the country. In recent weeks, reports of war crimes, including summary executions, public beatings, and flogging of women, sexual [End Page v] violence, and forced marriage, have surfaced in the areas captured by the Taliban. Endangered Scholars Worldwide is gravely concerned about the well-being of students, scholars, and human rights activists in Afghanistan. While we call for the Taliban to restrain from violence and repression, we believe that the international community must prioritize helping the people of Afghanistan under the Taliban's reign. During the regime's brutal previous rule, schools were closed, girls were forbidden from classrooms and could only leave their homes with a male patron—girls as young as nine were forced into marriages. Afghan students and scholars, who have already lived their entire lives through conflict and war, have a right to live free from violence, go to school, and engage in scholarly work safe from harm. ESW urges the global community to make all efforts to respect obligations under international human rights and international humanitarian law, which includes ensuring free and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need of assistance and protection and open borders for the safe movement of people. Continuing cases: On March 16, 2021, gunmen ambushed a bus trans- porting university students, staff, and professors in Baghlan province, killing the driver and a student. Six university lecturers were also injured. The attack took place during the morning rush hour on the outskirts of the provincial capital city of Pul-e-Khumri while the bus was traveling toward Baghlan university. In recent years, students, professors, and academics have been increasingly targeted in violent attacks—an unacceptable trend that damages the future of society at large. Endangered Scholars Worldwide condemns these heinous crimes in the strongest possible terms and stands in solidarity with the victims' families. Please send appeals to: Ambassador Adela Raz Embassy of Afghanistan 2341 Wyoming Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 USA Email: contact@afghanembassy.net [End Page vi] BAHRAIN For the most current information, please visit www.endangeredscholarsworldwide.net/Bahrain or scan the QR code. Continuing cases: Though Bahrain released 1,486 prisoners on March 17, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, imprisoned scholars and students were excluded from the decrees, including abdul-jalil al-singace, 57, former head of the Department of Engineering at the University of Bahrain. Students jawad al-mahary, shawqi radhi, jassim al-hulaini, jassim al-mukhodher, yousif ahmed and ahmed auon also remain in prison for their involvement in prodemocracy demon- strations. ESW calls on the US Department of States, the UN High Commissioner for Human rights, and the European Parliament to continue to press the Bahrain authorities to release all prisoners of conscience, especially those who pose no threat to the public, as COVID- 19 spreads rapidly in Bahraini prisons. Please send appeals to the following: Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa Office of the King The Amiri Court PO Box...