Contact CAF
Middle East Studies Association of North America, Inc.
3542 N. Geronimo Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85705
520 333-2577 phone
520 207-3166 fax
- Syria
Arrest and Detention of French Sociologist Dr. Roland Marchal
Letter to Iranian authorities protesting the detention of Dr. Roland Marchal since June 2019 with no formal charges filed against him.
Concerns regarding the recent arrest and sentencing of four Cairo University academics
Letter to Egyptian authorities expressing grave concerns regarding the arrest and sentencing of four Cairo University academics, as well as the mass roundup of peaceful demonstrators following the 20 September protest.
Deteriorating health of imprisoned professor Abduljalil Al-Singace
Letter to the King of Bahrain to protest the continuing detention and deteriorating health of Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, a Bahraini professor of engineering sentenced to life in prison after taking part in peaceful political protests in 2011.
Recent Israeli Arrests of Palestinian Students and Professor
Letter to Israeli authorities protesting the arrests of Palestinian students and professors and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Canadian government’s definition of antisemitism
Letter to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Heritage Minister Rodriguez objecting to the flawed definition of antisemitism used by the government's antiracism strategy.
Arrest and detention of Dr. Kameel Ahmady
Letter to Iranian authorities on behalf of Dr. Kameel Ahmady, protesting his arrest and detention on the basis of what appear to be politically motivated charges.
End probationary measures on PhD student Walid Salem
Letter to the Egyptian government requesting that it end all probationary measures placed on University of Washington doctoral student, Walid Salem -- who was released from prison in December 2018 after 6 months in detention without any charges against him -- and allow him to travel freely and continue his work.
Alarm over Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali’s transfer to an undisclosed location and threats of execution
Fifth letter to Iranian authorities on behalf of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, expressing alarm over his recent transfer to an undisclosed location, raising new threats of torture and execution.
Resources on Academic Freedom
A list of resources and links to websites related to academic freedom.
Arrest and detention of Dr. Fariba Adelkhah
Letter to Iranian authorities protesting the detention and unsubstantiated accusation of espionage of Dr. Fariba Adelkhah.
Limitations and restrictions to foreign nationals teaching at Palestinian universities
Letter demanding Israel lift the restrictions preventing international academics from staying and working in the West Bank, refrain from imposing arbitrary restrictions on the duration of stay or extension of stay for international academics, and order the publication of a clear and lawful procedure for issuing entry visas and work permits for international academics in the West Bank, to enable the university to manage and maintain its academic freedom.
New evidence in investigation of murder of PhD student Giulio Regeni
Letter demanding that the Egyptian government investigate new information provided by Italian authorities on suspects in the murder of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni and end government obstruction of the investigation into his death.
Response from AUC Provost to June 7 letter
AUC Provost Ehab Abel-Rahman responds to CAF's letter regarding the termination of the Abdulhadi H. Taher Endowed Chair.
Discouraging collaborations between SOAS and the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK)
Letter acknowledging SOAS for cancelling an event organized by the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and calling upon SOAS and other reputable institutions to refrain from collaborating with YÖK as long as the current climate of repression for academics persists in Turkey.
Threats against Iraqi academics highlighting cases of corruption
Letter to Iraqi authorities expressing concern over the threats made against academics who highlight cases of corruption by Iraqi members of parliament.
Continued prosecution and imprisonment of scholars of signatories of “Academics for Peace Petition”
Letter regarding recent developments in the prosecution and specifically imprisonment of scholars who signed the declaration “We will not be a party to this crime”—commonly referred to as the “Academics for Peace Petition.”
Termination of AUC Endowed Chair
Letter to the administration of the American University in Cairo to express concerns regarding the termination of the Abdulhadi H. Taher Endowed Chair.
Denial of a US Visa to Hanan Ashrawi
Letter protesting the US government's denial of a visa to Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi.
Hatoon al-Fassi and other women’s rights activists released from prison temporarily
MESA is very pleased to report that Dr. Hatoon al-Fassi was released from prison in Saudi Arabia on May 2, 2019, and has been allowed to return home to her family. Dr. al-Fassi is a renowned historian of women in pre-Islamic Arabia, a prominent advocate for women's rights, and a long-time member of MESA. She was the recipient in November 2018, in absentia, of the MESA Academic Freedom Award, the highest recognition MESA can bestow in acknowledgement of contributions to academic freedom. Dr. al-Fassi's release has been characterized as "temporary;" we continue to call for her full exoneration. We call, as well, for the release of the other women's rights advocates who remain in detention.
Health Concerns for Ahmed Mansoor
Letter to UAE authorities expressing concern at reports that the health of internationally-recognized human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor has deteriorated significantly.
Israel’s Ruling on Deportation of Omar Shakir
Letter to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Supreme Court Justices and Registrars, Ministers Shaked and Deri expressing grave concerns regarding the Jerusalem District Court’s decision to uphold the deportation of Mr. Omar Shakir on the basis of his human rights advocacy. CAF calls on the Israeli Supreme Court to reverse the district court’s decision. CAF also calls on the Interior Ministry to cease deporting or barring people from entry on the basis of their political views.
Contract renewal of Thomas Abowd at Tufts University
Letter calling on Tufts University to adhere to accepted standards of equity and transparency with regard to Dr. Thomas Abowd's contract renewal and to uphold the principles of academic freedom.
Attacks on Academic Freedom in Egypt Require Global Response
Scholars at Risk (SAR) and the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression in Egypt (AFTE) have filed a joint submission with the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR), highlighting attacks and pressures on higher education in Egypt.
SAR calls for action against attacks on higher ed communities in Iran
Scholars at Risk (SAR), in cooperation with the Human Rights Law Centre at the University of Nottingham, has filed a submission with the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review, highlighting attacks and pressures on higher education in Iran.