NEAR Newsletter October 2011
Welcome to the NEAR Newsletter. In this edition you will find our most recent Action Alerts and also an ‘Academic Freedom in the Media’ section, listing news by country (October 2011). Any comments and suggestions about the content and layout of the newsletter will be gratefully received at roisin.joyce@nearinternational.org.
NEAR Action Alerts *Taken from the NEAR website
Malaysia: Malaysian academic suspended after criticising a decree
Abdul Aziz Bari, professor of constitutional law at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, was suspended from his position after criticizing a decree made by the Sultan of Selangor. He was later reinstated but remains under investigation in what appears to be a clear violation of academic freedom.
** Please continue to send us any relevant cases involving threats to academic freedom and education rights, for potential alerts.
Academic Freedom in the Media *By country, taken from the NEAR website
Afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN: Kabul University terror cell broken up
University World News, 09/10/2011
Australia
AUSTRALIA: Science under siege
University World News, 07/10/2011
Unis join border control
The Australian, 18/10/2011
University forum with Israeli scientists 'offends Muslims'
The Australian, 25/10/2011
Unis brush off quality concerns
The Australian, 28/10/2011
Bahrain
Bahrain Cracks Down on Student Protesters With Harsh Sentences
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/10/2011
Bahrain: Where a Facebook “like” gets you expelled
Index on Censorship, 14/10/2011
The Bahraini medic who went to save lives and put her own in danger
The Guardian, 21/10/2011
Two weeks in Bahrain's military courts
AlJazeera, 23/10/2011
Botswana
The silence of the lambs
Mmegi Online, 21/10/2011
Canada
Canada’s universities adopt new Statement on Academic Freedom
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, 25/10/2011
CANADA: University head apologises to aboriginals
University World News, 30/10/2011
Chile
Pressure grows as Chile student leader opens talks
The Associated Press, 05/10/2011
Chile student strikes talks break down
The Guardian, 06/10/2011
Chile students plan new education protests
BBC, 09/10/2011
Internationalizing the student movement
The Santiago Times, 09/10/2011
Chile military drafts thousands, blames students
Associated Press, 18/10/2011
Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago
BBC, 19/10/2011
Chile students disrupt Senate meeting to press demands
BBC, 21/10/2011
Chile's student protests show little sign of abating
BBC, 25/10/2011
Student protesters march on to root out Chile's false profits
The Times Higher Education, 27/10/2011
China
One year on: Nobel winner Liu Xiaobo still in jail
BBC, 06/10/2011
Family Unaware of Liu Release
Radio Free Asia, 13/10/2011
At 105, Chinese Linguist Now A Government Critic
NPR, 19/10/2011
Candidates Pressured Ahead Of Poll
Radio Free Asia, 21/10/2011
CHINA: Cronyism outrage after science title is denied
University World News, 23/10/2011
Students, teachers know to toe censorship 'red line'
The Australian, 26/10/2011
Colombia
Bogota clashes amid Colombian student protests
BBC, 13/10/2011
Colombian university students protest education bill, some violence after peaceful march
The Washington Post, 13/10/2011
Colombian students say protests to continue 'indefinitely'
Colombia Reports, 17/10/2011
Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Cote d'Ivoire: Universities Close, Students Try to Survive
AllAfrica, 17/10/2011
Cyprus
Academic accuses municipality of gagging him
Cyprus Mail, 13/10/2011
Egypt
Mubarak-era university president resigns after professors strike
Ahram Online, 04/10/2011
Protest at Egypt's Cairo Institute for release of detained film student plans to escalate
Ahram Online, 10/10/2011
EGYPT: Elections reinstate some university leaders
University World News, 15/10/2011
Student groups protest ongoing regulations on campus activity
Almasry Alyoum, 19/10/2011
Thousands protest in Mansoura University after attacks
Ahram Online, 19/10/2011
France
FRANCE: Immigration restrictions hit foreign students
University World News, 02/10/2011
Greece
Greece scraps 'academic asylum' laws to curb abuse
The Times Higher Education, 20/10/2011
GREECE: Universities vehemently oppose policies
University World News, 22/10/2011
India
13 Tibetan students arrested outside the Chinese embassy in Delhi
Phayul, 09/10/2011
India's Delhi University in row over Ramayana epic essay
BBC, 18/10/2011
INDIA: Protests continue over academic freedom curb
University World News, 27/10/2011
Lessons not to learn
The Times of India, 30/10/2011
Iran
Iranian lashed 74 times for 'insult' to Ahmadinejad
The Guardian, 09/10/2011
Iranian human rights lawyer calls on Ireland to urge tougher EU line on Iran
The Irish Times, 10/10/2011
Philosophers and theologians worldwide condemn Iran’s attack on Baha’i educators
Iran Press Watch, 10/10/2011
Religious academics denounce persecution against Iran's Baha'i minority
The Telegraph, 10/10/2011
Iranian president criticises student's flogging
Strait Times, 13/10/2011
“My Father Was Charged With Helping The Baha’i University”
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, 13/10/2011
'They Lash You To Say You Shouldn't Think'
Radio Free Europe, 18/10/2011
Mr. Ramin Zibaei
Scholars at Risk, 31/10/2011
Iraq
Coveted Jobs in Iraq Breed Diploma Fraud
The New York Times, 10/10/2011
IRAQ: Sweeping higher education reforms planned
University World News, 15/10/2011
Israel / Palestine
Israeli professor faces criminal charges over Facebook status
Haaretz, 27/10/2011
Italy
When Explaining Science Is a Matter of Life and Death
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 04/10/2011
Jordan
JORDAN: Displaced medical students to study locally
University World News, 02/10/2011
Medical students from Yemen, Libya to be admitted in local universities
The Jordan Times, 09/10/2011
Kenya
Kenya Polytechnic Students On Strike
AllAfrica, 15/10/2011
Laos
Calls to Free Student Leaders
Radio Free Asia, 25/10/2011
Libya
Anti-Qaddafi Forces Seize Strategic Complex, University In Sirte
Radio Free Europe, 09/10/2011
Libyans Hope to Discard a University’s Dark Past
The New York Times, 16/10/2011
Libya names academic as new Prime Minister
The Times, 31/10/2011
Madagascar
A Madagascar, les foyers de tensions se multiplient dans les universités
RFI, 01/10/2011
Malawi
‘Academic freedom vital in fostering democracy’ – Mzuni debate
Nyasa Times, 01/10/2011
‘Quota system infringes on academic freedom’
The Nation, 04/10/2011
Malawi must know this definition of academic freedom.
Nyasa Times, 04/10/2011
Malawi Students to File Contempt Charges Against University Council
Voice of America, 06/10/2011
Students stick it to Bingu; tell him he’s a loser
The Maravi Post, 12/10/2011
Malawi: Beyond Country’s Academic Freedom Debate
AllAfrica, 13/10/2011
Mutharika opens college at donors’ behest
The Maravi Post, 25/10/2011
Malawi university lecturers discuss Mutharika guarantee on academic freedom
Afrique en Ligne, 26/10/2011
MALAWI: Presidential reversal reinstates lecturers
University World News, 30/10/2011
Malaysia
Malaysia Tries to Rein In Private Education Institutions
The New York Times, 02/10/2011
MALAYSIA: Repressive university act under review
University World News, 16/10/2011
Aziz Bari’s suspension in breach of academic freedom
Free Malaysia Today, 20/10/2011
Students gather to protest don’s suspension
Free Malaysia Today, 21/10/2011
Students stage demo, warn of ‘bigger’ uprising
Free Malaysia Today, 25/10/2011
National Council of Professors has lost its voice
Malaysia Kini, 28/10/2011
Malaysia court rules against student politics ban
AFP, 31/10/2011
Nigeria
Nigeria: Boko Haram, MEND bombing threats, ASUU strike get big play
Afrique en Ligne, 01/10/2011
NIGERIA: Terror agenda sparks debate on campuses
University World News, 16/10/2011
From where I sit - Strike action and inaction
The Times Higher Education, 20/10/2011
Pakistan
Madrassa student arrested on charges of blasphemy in Pakistan
Hindustan Times, 05/10/2011
PAKISTAN: Rector appointments plagued by politics
University World News, 20/10/2011
Poland
POLAND: Private higher education under threat
University World News, 16/10/2011
Russia
Russian Historian On Trial For Violating Privacy Laws
Radio Free Europe, 18/10/2011
On Twitter, Russian Students Decry Potemkin-esque Audience at Moscow State U.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 22/10/2011
Saudi Arabia
Biochemistry grads complain about neglect
Arab News, 09/10/2011
Senegal
SENEGAL: Universities face election-year challenges
University World News, 23/10/2011
Somalia
Somalia: Somali Forces Stop Students From Sitting for Exam
AllAfrica, 01/10/2011
Somali truck bomb: students among scores killed in blast
The Guardian, 04/10/2011
South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA: Uproar over Dalai Lama visa mess
University World News, 07/10/2011
Syria
Scholars at Risk calls for letters on behalf of Mr. Yassin Ziadeh of Syria
Scholars at Risk, 06/10/2011
Syrian forces fire on resort town
The Sunday Times, 16/10/2011
SYRIA: Judge rejects call for release of pyschoanalyst
University World News, 21/10/2011
Taiwan
Taiwan offers Chinese students a cautious welcome
BBC, 14/10/2011
Thailand
Thai royal insult law may have been misused: govt
AFP, 14/10/2011
Thailand: Government acknowledges effect of lèse-majesté on free expression
Article 19, 18/10/2011
Tunisia
Tunisia Islamists storm university over veil ban
Reuters, 08/10/2011
Niqab ban at Tunisian universities incites debate
Magharebia, 14/10/2011
Turkey
Turkish police detain academic in KCK probe
Hurriyet, 28/10/2011
Turkish author's detention stirs NGO anger
Hurriyet, 30/10/2011
Uganda
Tipping point for Uganda as lack of resources not addressed
The Times Higher Education, 20/10/2011
United Arabic Emirates
UAE activists boycott 'unfair' trial
AlJazeera, 03/10/2011
UAE: Sorbonne Should Condemn Lecturer’s Prosecution
Human Rights Watch, 13/10/2011
United Kingdom
University cuts will lead to academic brain drain, warns Oxford head
The Guardian, 04/10/2011
Oxford v-c: 'Government is failing universities on visa reforms and postgraduate support'
The Times Higher Education, 04/10/2011
Fees deny the basic human right to education
The Guardian, 10/10/2011
'Don't accuse London universities of being hotbeds for terrorists,' says head of UCL
Evening Standard, 11/10/2011
Unions consider private sphere of influence
Times Higher Education, 27/10/2011
Salmond is sorry over ‘nobbling’ academic
The Times, 28/10/2011
Dealings with Gaddafi son embarrass London college
Reuters, 28/10/2011
United States of America
Groups Investigating E-Mails of Professors in Michigan and Wisconsin Produce No Evidence of Wrongdoing
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 03/10/2011
Letting Down Academic Freedom
Inside Higher Education, 03/10/2011
Guns Come to Campuses
Inside Higher Education, 03/10/2011
Occupied, Dissatisfied
Inside Higher Education, 06/10/2011
Assuring Civility or Curbing Criticism?
Inside Higher Education, 07/10/2011
Koch and N.Y.U. Clash Over Terrorism Report
The New York Times, 07/10/2011
Duke Business School Announces Partnership in Kazakhstan
The New York Times, 09/10/2011
Northwestern U. Dismisses Medical Professor Who Questioned Cardiac-Surgery Chief's Safety Record
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/10/2011
Not-so-dismal science: macroeconomists win Nobel Prize
The Times Higher Education, 10/10/2011
Florida GOP vs. Social Science
Inside Higher Education, 12/10/2011
Occupy Texas State
Inside Higher Education, 14/10/2011
U. of North Carolina Upholds Christian Singing Group’s Dismissal of Gay Student
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 14/10/2011
Intellectual Roots of Wall St. Protest Lie in Academe
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 16/10/2011
Irvine 11 students appeal conviction
Los Angeles Times, 19/10/2011
AAUP Blasts Climate for Academic Freedom at Savannah College of Art and Design
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 20/10/2011
The R Word
Inside Higher Education, 20/10/2011
New caution for US universities overseas
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 20/10/2011
Privacy and Press Freedom Collide in University Case
The New York Times, 20/10/2011
Women's University to Reconsider Hard Line on Transgender Students
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 23/10/2011
Provost Upholds U. of Denver's Handling of Professor Who Discussed Sex in Class
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 24/10/2011
Judge Says Louisiana State U. Cannot Discipline Scientist for Speech Outside Work
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 25/10/2011
European Court Rules for American Scholar in Freedom-of-Expression Case
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 28/10/2011
Transgender Student Says California Baptist U. Expelled Her
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 29/10/2011
U.S. law student accused of being an Israeli spy returns to New York after spending four months in an Egyptian jail
The Daily Mail, 30/10/2011
When a Prof Shouts 'Death to Israel'
Inside Higher Education, 31/10/2011
Various Countries
'Courage to Think'
Scholars at Risk, 04/10/2011
ISLAMIC STATES: Ministers back university actions
University World News, 08/10/2011
GLOBAL: Academics facing death for their ideas
University World News, 09/10/2011
GLOBAL: Scholarships effective in democracy support
University World News, 30/10/2011
Vietnam
Vietnam: Front Line Defenders joins international NGOs in calling for the release of human rights defender Mr Pham Minh Hoang
Front Line Defenders, 05/10/2011
Yemen
Sana’a protest sends students under tents
AlArabiya, 21/10/2011
Zimbabwe
ZIMBABWE: Under-resourced universities under threat
University World News, 02/10/2011
The Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) is a membership-based, non-governmental organisation which facilitates international collaboration between organisations active in issues of academic freedom and educational rights, and committed to promoting an understanding of, and respect for, the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
For more information about NEAR, please visit our website at www.nearinternational.org
For further information please contact:-
Roisin Joyce
Deputy Director
roisin.joyce@nearinternational.org