COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The Committee on Human Rights (CHR), created in 1976, is a standing committee of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.  It uses the influence and prestige of the institutions it represents in behalf of scientists, engineers, and health professionals anywhere in the world who are unjustly detained or imprisoned for exercising their basic human rights as promulgated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  More information about the CHR.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK
The CHR also serves as the secretariat of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (H.R. Network).  It works to address grave issues of science and human rights, particularly the unjust detention or imprisonment of scientists, scholars, engineers, and health professionals throughout the world.  It seeks to promote the free exchange of ideas and opinions among scientists and scholars in all countries, and it stands in solidarity with sister national academies and scholarly societies worldwide to support their independence and autonomy.  More information about the H.R. Network.

In the spotlight

Formerly Imprisoned Medical Doctor Moncef Marzouki Elected President of Tunisia
January 13, 2012

CHR Celebrates 35 Years of Securing Freedom and Providing Hope

Indian Pediatrician Binayak Sen Wins New York Academy of Sciences Human Rights Award
September 22, 2011

Turkish Academy of Sciences President Yὒcel Kanpolat Thanks H.R. Network's Executive Committee for Sending Letters of Concern to Turkish Authorities
See below for H.R. Network actions.
September 28, 2011

Executive Committee of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies writes to Turkish authorities regarding the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA)
It is "deeply distressed to learn of the recent government decree that appears to restructure TUBA and effectively remove its independence."  Related articles published in Science on September 6, 2011, Nature on September 8, 2011, Hurriyet Daily News on September 8, 2011, and Chemistry World on September 13, 2011. See also the Public Notice by the Turkish Academy of Sciences on September 2, 2011.

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