Ramblings & Musings

On behalf of RSC President Dr. Patricia Demers, please find below a statement by the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies, kindly supplied by Dr. Eva Kushner. We will seek the endorsement of RSC at the next Council meeting.

Statement

June 14, 2007

We, the members of the Executive Committee of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (Network), oppose renewed initiatives that support an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions. We also oppose Israeli restrictions on Palestinian students that prevent them from studying at institutions of higher education in Israel, the West Bank, and abroad. We call on national academies affiliated with our Network to do the same.

We reiterate our belief in the free exchange of ideas and opinions among scientists and scholars in all countries which thereby stimulates the development of collaborative educational, research and human-rights endeavors within academies and the institutions with which they are affiliated. Boycotts deny our colleagues their rights to freedom of opinion and expression; interfere with their ability to exercise their bona fide academic freedoms; inhibit the free circulation of scientists and scientific ideas; impose unjust punishment, and impede the instrumental role played by scientists and scholars in the promotion of peace and human rights. (For full text of June 13, 2002, statement, see ttp://www7.nationalacademies.org/humanrights/In_Support_of_Scientific_Exchange.html)