UPR brief - Russia Spring 2023
Academic Freedom in India
Academic Freedom in India - August 2022
In Winter 2022, the Center for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism conducted its academic freedom monitoring clinic under the supervision of Prof. Nandini Ramanujam and Vishakha Wijenayake, in collaboration with the Scholars at Risk Network. From January to May 2022, BCL/JD students participating in the clinic monitored threats to academic freedom in India. The following report presents findings of this monitoring exercise, accompanied by an overview of the political and legal context pertaining to academic freedom. A version of this report was submitted to the Scholars at Risk Network to facilitate their submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 31, 2022, as part of the Universal Periodic Review of India.
Academic Freedom in India, Russia, Nigeria, and Cameroon
Academic Freedom in India, Russia, Nigeria, and Cameroon - June 2021
This academic freedom monitoring clinic report was submitted by Janelle Deniset, Kassandra Neranjan, Hanna Rioseco, Emma Sitland, and Ellen Spannagel (BCL/JD candidates) and Gazal Gupta (B.A. LL.B (hons.) candidate) under the supervision of Professor Nandini Ramanujam and of Vishakha Wijenayake (DCL candidate / O’Brien Fellow).
Threats to academic freedom are highly contextual and depend on the specific context of each country. In Nigeria, concerns have been raised over violence on campus, the sex for grades scandal, and government efforts to tightly regulate the academic affairs of universities. In Cameroon, there are concerns relating to the government’s tight-knit control over academic institutions and reprisals against Anglophone scholars and students who critique the central government. Similar concerns have also been raised in India, where civil and political dissent has been consistently suppressed and internet shutdowns have been used as a means of concealing discontent towards government repression. Finally, academic freedom in Russia faces ongoing threats of deliberate control, targeting of minority groups, and reprisals against dissenting opinions.
Academic Freedom in Poland, Russia and Hungary
Academic Freedom in Poland, Russia and Hungary - July 2020
In Winter 2020, the Center for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism launched its first academic freedom monitoring clinic under the supervision of Prof. Nandini Ramanujam and in collaboration with the Scholars at Risk Network. From January to May 2020, BCL/JD students participating in the clinic monitored threats to academic freedom in Russia, Hungary and Poland. The following report presents findings of this monitoring exercise, accompanied by an overview of the political and legal context pertaining to academic freedom in each country.
The report has been submitted to the Scholars at Risk Network and will contribute to their upcoming Free to Think Report.
