Professor’s Contract Discontinued After Criticism of President

A Tatar university professor says his contract was not extended due to his criticism of the republic's president, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has reported.

Midkhat Farukshin, Professor of Political Science at Kazan University and a leading expert on political systems and federal relations, had previously been critical of Tatarstan’s President Shaimiyev in a recently published book. He also wrote the introduction to the 2006 book “Shaimiyev: The Last President Of Tatarstan,” by Irek Murtazin, an opposition writer who was sentenced in November to 21 months in prison for defamation of the President. Murtazin had previously worked for state media outlets and as a spokesperson for the President from 1999-2002.

RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service says that Farukshin has been told by the university that the reason for the termination of his contract was a standard age restriction. The academic, who has been head of the political science faculty since 1990, has written to Tartastan President Mintimer Shaimyev.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Republic of Tatarstan, with a population of over three and a half million people, adopted its Declaration of State Sovereignty in 1992 but remains part of the Russian Federation. On the official website of Tatarstan it is stated that their constitution protects “human and civil rights and freedoms” and defends of freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and the right to participate in political parties and organisations.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals:

1. Urging the Rector of Kazan State University to review the decision to end Professor Farukshin’s contract and expressing strong concern that the decision was made in response to his criticism of the President.

2. Reminding the Tatar authorities of their responsibility enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan to protect freedom of speech and of Article 28 which guarantees equality of human rights, irrespective of political convictions.

APPEALS TO:

President Mintimer Sh. Shaimiev

President of the Republic of Tatarstan
Russia, 420014, Kazan, Kremlin
E-mail: aprt@kremlin.kazan.ru

Rector Myakzyum Salakhov

Kazan State University
18 Kremlyovskaya St.
Kazan 420008
Republic of Tatarstan
Russian Federation

PLEASE ALSO SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Programme Officer,
Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR),
90 London Road,
SE1 9LN
London, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7021 0884
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7021 0881

contact@nearinternational.org  

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