MESA has noted with growing concern the arbitrary censorship of academic events in North America on a variety of online platforms, and is collecting primary source documents and links to media reporting on related topics.
Letter to Iranian authorities objecting to the unjust prosecution and sentencing of Prof. Sedigheh Vasmaghi for her peaceful protests against police brutality, and the banning of her books in Iran.
MESA is pleased to report that Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert was released from prison on November 25, 2020 after 804 days' detention in Iran, and has returned to Australia.
Letter to Egyptian authorities protesting the recent arrests of Mohamed Basheer, Karim Ennarah, and Gasser Abdel Razek, employees of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and the continued targeting of human rights activists and institutions and levelling false accusations against them in an effort to obstruct their work.
Letter to Egyptian authorities protesting the arrest, under disturbing circumstances, and lengthy pre-trial detention of Professor Ahmad Al Tohamy Abel-Hay, and the fallacious charge of membership in a terrorist organization that has become routine against Egyptian scholars and activists who express their opinions.
Letter to Israeli authorities condemning ongoing prevention of Palestinian students in Gaza from studying abroad through denial of exit visas and travel permits.
Cornell University Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina responds on behalf of President Pollack and Dean Yoon to November 6, 2020 CAF letter regarding the treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
Letter to president and dean at Cornell University protesting treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
Third letter to Egyptian government regarding the ongoing mistreatment of Walid Salem, doctoral candidate at the University of Washington, who is being prevented from travelling and leaving Egypt despite cancellation of "probationary measures" imposed on him following his release from pre-trial detention
Letter to Moroccan government protesting its ongoing harassment and efforts at defamation of Dr. Maati Monjib, scholar and human rights activist.
Letter to President Erdoğan regarding the detention of Cihan Erdal, a doctoral candidate at Carleton University, apparently due to his having signed a letter in 2014 addressing events in Kobane, Syria while serving as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
Letter regarding the restrictions on Kurdish language rights and studies in Turkey—undergraduate enrollment, research and writing in the language of study, recognition of publications towards scholarly promotion and employment opportunities for graduates
MESA 2020 Special Session 3-1 organized by Katie J. Hickerson, University of Chicago
Fourteen individuals in nine categories including the Academic Freedom Award, Mentoring, Service, and three book awards, were honored at MESA's 2020 Awards Ceremony held October 11, 2020,
MESA 2020 Special Session 3-2 organized by Catherine Batruni, Independent Scholar, Lara Deeb, Scripps College, and Sherene Seikaly, UC Santa Barbara.
MESA awarded 14 individuals for excellence in scholarship, mentoring, service, and defending academic freedom on October 11, 2020.
MESA 2020 Special Session 2-2 organized by Sara Palmer, MESA and Jeffrey Reger, MESA.
MESA 2020 Special Session 2-1 organized by Dina Rizk Khoury, George Washington University.
MESA 2020 Special Session 1-2 organized by Asli Bali, UCLA, Beth Baron, CUNY, Mimi Kirk, MESA, Greta Scharnweber, NYU, and Judith Tucker, Georgetown University.
MESA 2020 Special Session 1-3 organized by Heather Ferguson, Claremont McKenna College and Joel Gordon, University of Arkansas.
MESA 2020 Special Session 1-1 organized by Lisa Anderson, Columbia University
Press release regarding MESA's first virtual conference (#MESA2020), which will take place live October 5-17, 2020.
The MESA Task Force on Civil and Human Rights calls on DHS to withdraw a proposed rule that would effectively deprive international students of lawful status for the duration required for many degree programs, restricting students from much of the developing world to two-year visas insufficient even for undergraduate study. The administration's proposed regulation would effectively mean that the United States no longer welcomes international students. If this rule were to go into effect, students from much of the world would face severe disincentives in considering degree programs in the U.S. Such actions would inflict broad harm on the intellectual life and economic viability of American universities, future generations of students, and the sectors of the economy that require highly qualified researchers and professionals.
The Middle East Studies Association Task Force on Civil and Human Rights and the Committee on Academic Freedom join together in expressing our shock and outrage at reports concerning the arrest and detention of Iranian materials scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari.
Letter to the president of the University of Toronto protesting the rescinding of the offer of employment to Dr. Valentina Azarova.