Chairwoman Activities

In a powerful address at the "Scholars at Risk Summit" held in Ottawa, Nobel Peace laureate Tawakkol Karman passionately advocated for the protection of intellectual freedom,

freedom of expression, and human rights on a global scale.

The conference, which brought together scholars, activists, and intellectuals from around the world, focused on developing practical strategies to safeguard human rights standards, with a particular emphasis on preserving intellectual independence and the autonomy of universities.

Addressing the audience, Karman emphasized the pivotal role of freedom of opinion, expression, and thought as an essential foundation for progress, individual growth, and global development. She highlighted the interconnectedness of ideas and the necessity for a steadfast dedication to intellectual freedom in a world grappling with diverse challenges and viewpoints.

Karman warned against the consequences of stifling diverse opinions, pointing out that societies restricting the open exchange of ideas risk becoming breeding grounds for ignorance and mistrust.

She underscored the role of intellectual freedom as a safeguard against extremism, emphasizing that critical thinking and open dialogue empower individuals to resist divisive ideologies that often lead to violence.

The human rights activist provided a poignant account of the devastating impact of authoritarian regimes on education and intellectual freedom, particularly citing the situation in Yemen, her home country, which has faced years of oppressive rule and armed conflicts.

Karman condemned the actions of both authoritarian regimes and certain democratic nations, highlighting the global shift away from principles of justice and human rights. She expressed concern about alliances between democracies and authoritarian regimes, emphasizing the detrimental effects on freedom of thought and expression.

The Nobel laureate also drew attention to biases exhibited by some political administrations, especially regarding critical issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She cited the recent bombing of the Islamic University in Gaza as a stark example, urging the international community to address such actions that undermine academic freedoms.

Despite the challenges, Karman expressed optimism, pointing to the global outcry for freedom, justice, and the right to a dignified life. She called on professors and university institutions to foster an atmosphere that promotes free thinking and urged all attendees to carry the torch of freedom, knowledge, and innovation.

In her concluding remarks, Karman encouraged everyone to question, seek the truth, and defend freedom. She emphasized the need for unity against injustices and deviations from democratic values, stressing that defending freedom requires a steadfast commitment to principles.

Herein follows the speech transcript:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to be a part of this significant gathering where we address global challenges to freedom of thought and expression, academic freedom, and human rights at large. In our conference today, our goal is to derive practical tools and strategies to defend human rights standards, particularly those related to intellectual independence, freedom of expression, and the autonomy of universities.

As I have always believed, freedom of opinion, expression, and thought is not a luxury but an essential necessity that forms the bedrock of progress, individual growth, and the fundamental building block for global development, peace, and security.

Dear all,

In a world that's closely connected and dealing with various challenges and diverse viewpoints, upholding global peace and security demands a steadfast dedication to intellectual freedom. The open exchange of ideas not only encourages understanding, tolerance, dialogue, and cooperation among nations but also offers a way to establish common ground among individuals from different backgrounds, overcoming cultural, political, and geographical divides.

On the other hand, when people can't freely share ideas, societies can become breeding grounds for ignorance, mistrust, and misunderstanding. Authoritarian regimes, by stifling diverse viewpoints and academic discussions, make an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility. This, in turn, makes conflicts more likely and messes up the careful balance needed for peace and security, both locally and globally.

Intellectual freedom also acts as a safeguard against the emergence of extremism and extremist ideologies. In an environment that promotes critical thinking and open dialogue, individuals are better equipped to distinguish truth from falsehood and misinformation. This ability to resist the allure of divisive ideologies, which often culminate in violence, is strengthened.

The open sharing of ideas is a key driver for progress and development. In a world where thoughts can flow freely, creative solutions to complex global issues, like climate change, economic inequalities, or geopolitical conflicts, come to the forefront. When there's a culture of encouraging intellectual curiosity, people are inspired to think outside the box in their pursuit of knowledge. This ongoing pursuit of understanding becomes a powerful force propelling society toward enlightenment and progress.

Furthermore, freedom of thought is closely tied to the idea of non-dependence. Allowing individuals to independently explore their ideas instills a sense of ownership and responsibility. This, in turn, encourages them to collaboratively work towards shaping the future of society and actively engage in the development process.

In the realm of unrestricted thought and among free-thinking intellectuals, innovation flourishes. Pioneering ideas surface—ideas that challenge the established norms and propose solutions that exceed perceived limitations. Across the course of human progress, numerous instances attest to the transformative power of free and unbridled ideas, emerging from the liberty of thought. These ideas have played a pivotal role in reshaping societies and propelling them into new eras of prosperity.

Moreover, the cultivation of freedom of thought fosters resilience in confronting adversity. Societies that promote independent thinking demonstrate enhanced adaptability to changing circumstances and a capacity to surmount challenges. The aptitude to critically assess situations and conceive alternative solutions serves as a substantial asset in societies' pursuit of development and progress. Regrettably, amid a world characterized by tyranny, crises, wars, and chaos, freedom of thought and expression encounters numerous challenges, including:

One of the most pressing challenges we face today is the rise of authoritarian regimes, whose hostility and human rights violations, including freedom of thought and academic freedom, escalate persistently. These regimes, driven by fear of opposition and the open exchange of ideas, wage a relentless assault on intellectual independence. They stifle voices of reason, restrict academic research, and employ censorship as a means of controlling minds, targeting universities and research institutions. In such oppressive systems, students, scholars, and researchers face extremely difficult situations, where their pursuit of knowledge is met with suspicion and hostility. They become more vulnerable to threats and repression, causing many to flee their homelands in search of safety.

Yemen, my home country, has faced 33 years of oppressive rule and is currently dealing with the aftermath of the Houthi coup, supported by Iran, along with the Saudi-UAE war. This situation clearly showcases how tyranny, armed conflicts, and coups devastate development and peace. Education, freedom of thought, and expression have been severely impacted, suffering as major victims in this ongoing crisis.

The conflict involving the Saudi-Emirati coalition, along with the Houthi militia coup supported by Iran in Yemen, has had far-reaching and devastating effects on all aspects of life, from pre-university to higher education. The impact on higher education in Yemen has been particularly devastating. Many students, university professors, and staff members have lost their lives or been injured. Additionally, universities, libraries, cultural sites, and other educational infrastructure that support scholars and students have suffered extensive damage, with some being completely destroyed. Furthermore, the salaries of university professors and employees have not been payed the past six years, and this financial hardship continues to this day.

The suffering of universities and higher education in Yemen goes beyond what has been mentioned. The situation remains dire and continues to worsen. The Houthi militias have violated the integrity of public and private universities by appointing their loyalists to key administrative and academic positions. They have also introduced curriculum changes that promote racist ideas in line with the ideology of the Houthi coup group. As a result, many university professors have been forced to leave Yemen, while those who remained face difficult living conditions, struggling to survive day by day. Tragically, some have even lost their lives due to these circumstances.

The dire situation in Yemen isn't an isolated incident; it reflects the breakdown of educational systems in nations facing tyranny, wars, and geopolitical conflicts. The collapse of education and universities is a shared feature in countries where the state has crumbled, entering into wars and conflicts linked to counter-revolutions against the Arab Spring—events involving both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Despite their differences, these two countries align in opposing people's revolutions, democracy, human rights, and everything associated with modernity and its humanitarian and legal advancements.

Dear everyone,

The challenges to freedom of opinion, expression, and thought are further complicated by a troubling global shift away from the principles of justice, human rights, and the broader system of human values. It's not just confined to authoritarian regimes; even major democratic nations engage in actions that impede freedom of thought and expression. This occurs through alliances between some democracies, particularly in Western countries like America and Canada, and authoritarian regimes worldwide. The support of Western democracies for authoritarian rulers raises countless questions and doubts about the credibility of their democratic principles. This alliance directly and indirectly contributes to human rights violations and undermines freedom of expression and thought.

Furthermore, the biases exhibited by certain political administrations in some countries, particularly when it comes to critical issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are a cause for concern. These administrations openly support one party over the other, leading to restrictions imposed on academic opinions that diverge from their official political stances.

In some cases, individuals who hold differing viewpoints face punishments, limitations, or even dismissal. This represents a grave challenge to academic freedoms, freedom of expression, and freedom of thought. It also poses a direct threat to the autonomy of universities and the unfettered pursuit of knowledge within them. Such actions blatantly contradict the professed values and commitment to upholding human rights by these countries.

Let's take a recent example from the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. In one of its devastating attacks on civilian buildings, Israel bombed the Islamic University in Gaza, nearly leveling its structures. Established in 1978 with the approval of the occupying authorities, this university holds immense significance as the main higher education institution in Gaza. Due to the stifling Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for the past 16 years, students from Gaza have been unable to pursue studies in the West Bank or abroad.

Consequently, over 20,000 students, with women making up 60%, are now enrolled in this university. It comprises various colleges offering diverse disciplines, from Sharia and Islamic jurisprudence to scientific fields like medicine, engineering, sciences, information technology, commerce, nursing, and more. The utter destruction and leveling of this university, leaving it in ruins, without their students and staff receiving any solidarity or vocal denouncement from university professors, college presidents, and university deans in major democratic countries such as America, Britain, and Europe, raises significant concerns.

Dear friends,

Amidst the challenges we face, the resounding global outcry for freedom, justice, and the right to live a dignified life remains steadfast. Demonstrations spanning continents, from the Americas to Asia, and from Europe to the Middle East and Africa, serve as the vanguard in the defense of knowledge, truth, human rights, and the freedom to express ourselves and think freely.

It is this solid commitment that fuels our hope and optimism, bolstering our firm belief in a brighter future. Our certainty stems from the faith we have in our people, as well as the people across the world who share a dedication to the values of freedom, justice, and the inherent dignity of every individual, irrespective of their nationality, religion, belief system, or skin color.

In conclusion,

To professors and university institutions:

I urge you to foster an atmosphere that promotes free thinking, encourages students to question, and empowers them to challenge and broaden their perspectives. It is crucial that you provide steadfast support to your students, especially in times of adversity. Regardless of the challenges you may encounter, strive to create an environment where diverse ideas can thrive. Stand firm in your defense of freedom of thought, expression, and academic freedom. Remember that your commitment to promoting free thinking will leave a lasting legacy, impacting not only your current students but also future generations to come.

To all present - students, professors, scholars, and attendees:

Carry the torch of freedom, knowledge, and innovation. In a world where deceptive information abounds, always be a seeker of truth! Let the flame of curiosity within you never extinguish. Trust in yourself, and unleash your potential. Do not fear the obstacles, setbacks, and challenges around you; pursue knowledge and innovation with determination.

Question every piece of information around you, verify your sources to arrive at the truth. However, never question yourself and your abilities.

Have faith in the power of your ideas, recognizing that your intellectual curiosity can reshape the world.

Ensure your voices resonate, advocating not only in the pursuit of knowledge but also in defense of the oppressed, upholding noble human principles, and championing freedom, dignity, and justice.

Let's stay watchful, united against oppressive regimes' injustices and democracies deviating from their values. Defending freedom demands rejecting any erosion or backtrack in our principles.

Thank You all!