Experts urge the United States to eliminate unilateral sanctions that discriminate against scientists

The United States must withdraw the sanctions. unilateral acts that lead to discrimination against academics from the affected countries, a group of independent experts pointed out this Thursday* named by him Human Rights Council from the ONU.

Scientific research and academic freedom are threatenedwarned in referring to reports that research submitted by scholars from sanctioned countries is disqualified and denied publication.

“We are very concerned about the growing negative impact of sanctions regimes on academic and scientific research, as well as international academic cooperation initiatives, which harm the participation of academics from sanctioned countriesthe experts said in a joint statement.

The rapporteurs urged scientific journal publishers and boards to avoid “over-adherence” to sanctions regimes for fear of possible damage to reputation, business or other implications.

Penalty clauses

Experts also expressed great concern about the scope of sanctions unilateral to the various areas of scientific and academic research, as well as to publications.

They reported that they have complaints about impediments to academic freedom derived from sanctions, including restrictions on review procedures and disclosure of research carried out and sent to international publications.

The rapporteurs rejected the existence of the “sanction clauses” contained in the editorial ethics and research policies and guidelines from some publishing houses.

“These clauses encourage scientific journal editors to treat submissions from sanctioned countries with ‘caution’. The practice presumes the legitimacy of unilateral coercive measures that do not correspond to numerous relevant resolutions of the Human Rights Council”, they emphasized.

vague criteria

In addition, -they pointed out- these practices are incompatible with international human rights norms and standardsincluding the fundamental principle of non-discrimination and the right of everyone to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.

The experts referred to the Guidance on certain editorial activities 2016 of the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury of the United States, as a “vague and complex interpretation of the criteria for ‘authorized’ publishing activities”.

They explained that this has led some publishers, editors and reviewers to over-comply and reject submissions from sanctioned countries out of hand, often without preliminary review, for fear of repercussions, including personal liability.

“Scientific and academic research and the dissemination of its results should not be conditioned by decisions other than those based entirely on scientific and academic considerations. They should not depend on political decisions nor of the application of sanctions regimes against countries and their citizens”, the rapporteurs insisted.

In this sense, they called on academic associations, publishers and editorial boards to take the necessary measures to eliminate excessive adherence to sanctions regimes.

Academic cooperation and exchange are a inalienable part of the process of obtaining new knowledge on behalf of the world community, the experts recalled.

Unanswered

“We urge the government to United States to withdraw sanctions unilateral, which discriminate against professionals and academics from countries under sanctions”, they reiterated.

Experts have expressed their concerns to the US government and various publishers seeking clarification. So far no response.

The expert signers of the declaration are Alena Douhan, special rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights; Obiora C. Okafor, independent expert on human rights and international solidarity; Alexandra Xanthaki, special rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; and Saad Alfarargi, special rapporteur on the right to development.* The special rapporteurs are part of the Special Procedures of Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name for the independent investigative and monitoring mechanisms established by the Council to deal with specific situations in countries or thematic issues around the world. the world. The experts of the Special Procedures work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organization and act in their individual capacity.