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.
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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.
2019 Teaching Literature Book Award
Congratulations to Michelle Hartman for receiving honorable mention for "Teaching Modern Arabic Literature in Translation" for the 2019 Teaching Literature Book Award.
Press Release on foreign academics working restrictions in Palestine
MESA and other scholarly organizations have written to Israeli authorities regarding procedures for visas and work permits for international academics working in Palestine.
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.
In Memoriam, John Masson Smith (1930-2019)
MESA mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus John Masson Smith of the University of California, Berkeley.
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.
UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies receives Mellon Grant
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a two-year grant of $350,000 to UCLA to support a pilot project seeking to reframe how Middle Eastern studies are conceptualized and taught.
In Memoriam, Michael Bonner (1952-2019)
MESA mourns the passing of University of Michigan Professor Michael Bonner.
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.
Memo on OFAC Compliance for Academics
This memo offers basic guidance for those seeking to conduct academic research in countries impacted by U.S. sanctions (notably, Iran, Sudan and Syria).
Denial of a US Visa to Hanan Ashrawi
Letter protesting the US government's denial of a visa to Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi.
In Memoriam, Issa Boullata (1929-2019)
MESA mourns the passing of McGill University Professor Emeritus Issa Boullata.