About Us

The International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (H.R. Network), created in 1993, works to address grave issues of science and human rights, particularly cases of scientists, scholars, engineers, and health professionals around the world who are subjected to severe repression solely for having nonviolently exercised their rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It 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 endeavors within academies and the institutions with which they are affiliated. The H.R. Network stands in solidarity with sister national academies and scholarly societies worldwide to support their independence and autonomy and promotes institutional human rights consciousness-raising and commitment to supporting such efforts. Currently, science academies and scholarly societies in approximately 80 countries are affiliated with the H.R. Network; each is represented by an internationally prominent member who is also a human rights advocate.

       Founding Network Executive Committee Members Pieter van Dijk,
Francois Jacob, Edoardo Vesentini, Torsten Wiesel, and Max Perutz.