For more than twenty years the British Academy has made clear its opposition to academic boycotts. It supports free academic interchange, global collaboration and participation in scholarly activity, without regard to race, religion, political philosophy, ethnic origin, citizenship, language and sex.

The Academy, as a member of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (IHRNASS) , indicates its full support of the Network’s statement published in the scientific journal ‘Nature’ on 13 June 2002.

The text of the statement includes the following:

“The International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies was created to address grave issues of science and human rights throughout the world. It aims to put into practice the professional duty of scientists and scholars to assist those colleagues whose human rights have been – or are threatened to be – infringed and to promote and protect the independence of academies and scholarly societies worldwide. The basis of the network’s activities is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The network seeks to promote the free exchange of ideas and opinions among scientists and scholars in all countries and, thereby, to stimulate the development of collaborative educational, research and human-rights endeavours within academies and the institutions with which they are affiliated.

Moratoria on scientific exchanges based on nationality, race, sex, language, religion, opinion and similar factors thwart the networks goals. They would 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; and impose unjust punishment. They would also be an impediment to the instrumental role played by scientists and scholars in the promotion of peace and human rights.”

ENDS

Notes:

1. For further details contact Michael Reade, 020 7969 5263, External Relations, British Academy

2. The International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies is based at the National Academy of Sciences in the USA. See <http://www7.nationalacademies.org/humanrights/Network_Description.html > for further information.

3. The British Academy is the National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

4. Established by Royal Charter in 1902, the British Academy is an independent learned society promoting the humanities and social sciences. It is composed of Fellows elected in recognition of their distinction as scholars in the humanities and social sciences.

5. Further information about the Academy may be found at: www.britac.ac.uk