Martin Rees, the President of the Royal Society, today (30 May 2006) criticised the vote by members of NATFHE for a boycott of Israeli academics, and re-affirmed the commitment of the Royal Society, the UK national academy of science, to a statement in opposition to academic boycotts.

In 2002, the Council of the Royal Society gave its explicit support to a statement by the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (IHRNASS), which was published in the scientific journal Nature’ on 13 June 2002.

The text of the statement is:

“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 network’s 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.

“This statement, although that of a general principle with universal applicability, was prompted by a petition in 2002 that advocated a moratorium on all grants and contracts to Israel from European cultural and research institutions. The moratorium being advocated, although surely well-intentioned, was misguided and inevitably counterproductive.

“We all look forward to an equitable solution to the crisis in the Middle East, with lasting peace and stability for both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. But, the strongest impact of a moratorium would, rather than influence Israeli policy-makers, seriously and unfairly harm our scientific colleagues in Israel many of whom have actively promoted peace through collegial engagement and open communication among academic centres in the region.”

In reiterating the Royal Society’s support for the statement, Lord Rees said: “The vote by NATFHE members is to be regretted and they should remember that boycotts of scientists at Israeli universities grossly violate the principles set out by the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies.”

The IHRNASS was created in May 1993 and meets every two years, most recently at the Royal Society in May 2005. National academies and scholarly societies that have human rights committees and actively support the work of the IHRNASS are considered to be members.