GLOBAL: Educational freedom reports international

In Turkey, 57 members of the Academy of Sciences have resigned in protest against a government decree to end the autonomy of the academy. In Bahrain, the students are being attacked by the authorities, hundreds of pro-democracy activities judged by six and recently received sentences of 15 years and heavy fines in a court case widely criticized as unfair. Papua Indonesia Students are targeted by the authorities that human rights groups describe as widespread intimidation and threats. And Azerbaijan, a top scientist has been degraded by questioning the legality of the detention of the activist youth Baxtiyar Hacıyev amid moves against Azerbaijani intelligentsia.

TURKEY: mass resignation of members of the academy of sciences

Fifty seven academicians of the Academy of Sciences of Turkey resigned en masse to protest a new law that will end the autonomy of the academy in the selection of its members, Hurriyet Daily News reported on 15 November.

The Academy of Sciences of Turkey (tuba) was established in 1993 as an autonomous institution with independent research, finance and administration, although under the patronage of the Prime Minister. Tuba currently has 140 members, including 40 honorary members, who were appointed independently.

The new law decree published on August 27 plans to divide the selection of members from the government, the Council for Higher Education and the tuba.

This will end the autonomy of the tuba, as the institution is controlled by a majority of members appointed by the government.

International schools have shared their concerns about the new decree and reminded the Turkish authorities that all academies of science should remain independent institutions. In a joint statement justifying the massive resignation, scholars argue that only the independent scientists have the opportunity to select other scientists based on their merits.

Confirming their intention to retain their autonomy, academics announced the establishment of a new association "Academy of Sciences" independent and autonomous.

BAHRAIN: The tests of students continue

Crackdown students continue in Bahrain. Dozens of students are being accused and tried, imprisoned and some of them, reported Voice of Bahrain on November 14.

On October 23, six students from the University of Bahrain - Alhulaiby Jaime (19), Jawed Kalahari (24), Yusuf Ahmed (20), Shaq Radii (22), Jaime Almukhudur (20) and Mohammed Tami Sale Make (19 ) - were sentenced to 15 years in prison and a 349 300 dinars (US $ 925,000) fine by the military National Security Court.

The students were accused of charges related to violent attack, believed to have been sponsored by the government, on the campus of the University of Bahrain on 17 March. The charges, which many have called "manufactured", including theft and destruction of property of the college, the possession of "explosive weapons flammable" and intent to kill.