“Scholars are being harassed, attacked, jailed and even targeted for assassination in a wide range of countries across the world, according to a new study published by the Institute of International Education. The persecution occurs at all levels of scholarship, in many different fields, and among men and women although women are targeted most. ‘The goal is to silence their voices and, by extension, the voices of intimidated colleagues and students within the wider academic community,’ say the report’s authors, Dr Henry Jarecki and Daniela Z Kaisth, respectively IIE vice chair and vice president, strategic development. Among the examples cited is a law professor in Colombia who received threats for speaking out on human rights. His house was visited by eight armed men that night but he had already escaped into hiding …” (more)
[Brendan O’Malley, University World News, 19 April]