The Committee on Human Rights of Scientists of the New York Academy of Sciences was formed in 1978 to pursue the advancement of the basic Human rights of our colleagues throughout the world. The Committee intervenes in cases where scientists, engineers, health professionals and educators are detained, imprisoned, exiled, murdered, “disappeared,” or deprived of the rights to pursue science, communicate their findings with their peers and the general public, and travel freely in accordance with established policies of The International Council for Science.

The Committee uses every means at its disposal, which include: letters to those in authority, personal meetings and appeals, on-the-scene and behind-the-scene pressure on U.S. and foreign authorities, public statements, and petitions to encourage the wider scientific community to add its voice to activities on behalf of repressed individuals and prisoners of conscience and send volunteers to monitor trials and participate in fact finding missions when possible.

The Committee bases its work on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in particular on the ancillary documents which detail the rights of a scientist freely to practice the pursuit of science, and to communicate with fellow-scientists throughout the world, taking into account the necessary, but limited, need of government to protect sensitive matters; it does hold governments responsible for conforming to international standards for the protection of human rights and holds them accountable when they do not.

The Committee coordinates its activities with other major human rights organizations. It participates jointly in campaigns with these groups, while maintaining independence and identity as a standing committee of the New York Academy of Sciences.

The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, nonprofit, global membership organization committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. The Academy's initiatives include disseminating scientific information, advancing science education, protecting the human rights of scientists, and applying science and technology to achieve social and economic goals. Established in 1817, the Academy is the oldest scientific organization in New York, and the third oldest in the nation. It is an international organization with nearly 25,000 members in more than 150 countries.