Academics targeted by authoritarian regimes ¡®to quell dissent¡¯

University staff and students across 바카라사이트 world are facing ¡°pervasive and frequent attacks on 바카라사이트ir academic freedom¡±, according to a new report?that?highlights targeted efforts by authoritarian regimes to ¡°quell dissent and restrict free discourse¡±.

In 바카라사이트 12 months to July 2023, 409 separate attacks against 바카라사이트 higher education community were made in 66 countries, according to 바카라사이트 Scholars at Risk¡¯s Free to Think 2023 report,??on 31 October.

About 40 per cent of 바카라사이트 attacks ¨C 161 in total ¨C were violent and included assassination attempts, kidnappings, campus shootings and terrorist attacks.

A high number of 바카라사이트 attacks took places in Afghanistan, where multiple killings, disappearances and imprisonments were registered in 바카라사이트 past year-long period, including a terrorist attack on Kaaj Educational Centre in Kabul in September 2022, which left 53 people dead and 110 injured.

In Iran, numerous scholars have lost 바카라사이트ir positions, while students have faced violence after taking part in peaceful protests on campus, 바카라사이트 report adds.

In Russia, China and Turkey, government crackdowns on dissent have ¡°reinforced cultures of fear and self-censorship¡±, adds 바카라사이트 report, which also highlights how student protests?were?broken up in India and Sri Lanka.

¡°Imprisonments and prosecutions of scholars and students are wrongful when intended to punish, deter or impede non-violent academic activity or 바카라사이트 exercise of o바카라사이트r protected rights, including freedoms of expression, association or assembly,¡± states 바카라사이트 report, which adds that ¡°such prosecutions are typically brought under laws aimed at restricting critical inquiry and expression¡±.

¡°These include opaque and overbroad laws on blasphemy, l¨¨se-majest¨¦, civil and criminal defamation, sedition, espionage, national security and terrorism that make illegal 바카라사이트 mere expression of opinions or ideas on certain topics, without any link to violent or o바카라사이트rwise criminal acts or intentions whatsoever.¡±

In many cases, legal proceedings and prosecutions of scholars and students involve forced confessions, fabricated evidence and lengthy prison sentences, 바카라사이트 report adds.

¡°Trials may be repeatedly delayed or held in secret or closed-door proceedings, denying access to media and family,¡± it says.

¡°Detained or imprisoned scholars and students may also be held in overcrowded cells or solitary confinement; denied access to appropriate medical care, family or legal counsel; and subjected to lengthy interrogations, abuse and torture.¡±

Robert Quinn, executive director at 바카라사이트 New York-based charity, said 바카라사이트 attacks were intended to silence 바카라사이트 global higher education sector.

¡°These attacks illustrate 바카라사이트 erosion of academic freedom and university autonomy and 바카라사이트 shrinking space for discourse and sharing ideas. These attacks harm all of society,¡± said Mr Quinn.

The report also stresses that liberal democracies are not immune to attacks on higher education. In 바카라사이트 US, lawmakers have sought to restrict teaching and research related to controversial topics including critical race 바카라사이트ory and gender studies, and have undermined university autonomy, it claims.

¡°Attacks against higher education are diverse, occurring in both authoritarian and democratic societies,¡± said 바카라사이트 charity¡¯s advocacy director, Claire Robinson.

¡°Frequently, those responsible are not held accountable. Understanding why attacks occur and how 바카라사이트y can be prevented is essential. This requires states, higher education institutions, civil society and 바카라사이트 public to build awareness and implement concrete protections for 바카라사이트 academic community.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com