More than 100 academics condemn firing of professors in Iran

More than 100 Iranian academics from around the world have condemned recent firings of professors in Iran, calling them an intensification of suppression, reports Iran International.

In an open letter, 105 academics, mostly from American universities, said that recent layoffs of professors from Iranian universities were political in nature and cannot be justified on scientific or professional grounds.

The letter followed news in January that at least three professors were fired from their jobs. Sociologist Mohammad Fazeli, Professor of Philosophy Arash Abazari and Social Science Lecturer Reza Omidi got the pink slip without a clear explanation. Each had excelled in their field. On Saturday 12 February, news emerged that Islamic Azad University in Iran had fired more than 300 professors and lecturers and is planning to fire 1,500 more from its campuses around the country. It is not clear whether this is related to financial pressure amid Iran’s economic crisis or a way to politically ‘cleanse’ the academia.
Full report on the Iran International site