The International Studies Association, which represents thousands of international relations scholars around the world, condemns the deportation of Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, by Fijian authorities. In a dramatic home arrest on February 3, 2021, Professor Ahluwalia’s work permit was revoked, and he and his wife were removed from their home and flown to Brisbane, Australia under armed military guard. According to international news agencies, the decision is in retaliation for Professor Ahluwalia blowing the whistle on corrupt practices and financial mismanagement within the university. The revocation of Professor Ahluwalia’s work permit, in apparent disregard of due process, seriously constrains his ability to carry out his duties as Vice-Chancellor. If politically-motivated, such interference in the operation of a university undermines university autonomy, an important principle of academic freedom. Moreover, transparency and accountability are essential in the academic community’s efforts to ensure that institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. ISA calls on the Fijian government to reinstate Professor Ahluwalia’s work permit and allow him to return to his teaching post in Fiji.

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The International Studies Association, the largest association of scholars of international relations in the world, denounces the arbitrary detention on February 1, 2021 of Ahmed Samir Abdelhay Ali, an Egyptian national enrolled in a graduate program in Sociology/Social Anthropology at the Central European University in Vienna, Austria. Ahmed was interrogated by the Egyptian authorities at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport upon returning to Egypt for family reasons. When he presented himself as requested to Cairo police, he was arrested, physically assaulted, held incommunicado and is now in detention. It is believed that Ahmed has been detained in relation to his research on reproductive rights in Egypt. ISA notes with extreme concern a systematic pattern on the part of the Egyptian Government of arrest and/or detention of students and scholars as well as its disregard for the principle of academic freedom. ISA urges the Egyptian government in the strongest possible terms to release Ahmed Samir Abdelhay Ali immediately.

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The International Studies Association (ISA) expresses mounting concern for academic freedom in Turkey in light of recent events at Boğaziçi university. We are troubled by the process followed to appoint Melih Bulu as rector of the university and by the mistreatment and detention of students who peacefully protested his appointment. For further information about ISA’s deliberative processes on academic freedom concerns and the committee’s mandate from the Governing Council, please see: http://www.isanet.org/ISA/Governance/Committees/Academic-Freedom.

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ISA Headquarters is composed of a staff of 12 people, many of whom are located at the University of Connecticut. We are excited to introduce you to the ISA HQ staff so that you can get to know us a bit better! This week's staff spotlight is Tara Guilleaume, Exhibits & Sponsorship Manager.

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