Progress Made on Proposal for a Universal Declaration of Academic Freedom

 The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies hosted academics, experts, and advocates in the field of freedom of speech on October 30th, 2019 to form a first draft of the Universal Declaration of Academic Freedom.

This document, which will be proposed to the United Nations, and has been in the works for many years, will promote freedom of expression and communication without censorship. Dr. Nizam Assaf facilitated this session to lay the foundational text for this declaration. In 2004, ACHRS launched “The Amman Declaration on Academic Freedoms and the Independence of Higher Education and Scientific Research Institutions in Arab Universities” First Conference of Academic Freedoms in Arab Universities. ACHRS has continued its work in this field with the publication of “Measurements for Academic Freedom in Arab Universities” in 2004 and participation in The 5th Conference on Academic Freedoms in 2013The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies will continue to hold a series of seminars in Jordan, the Arab region and internationally to prepare for the submission of the document to UNESCO. ACHRS aims to advocate for discussion and adoption of the document into the Universal Declaration on Human and Peoples Rights.

 The session was attended by: Dr. Mohammad Tarawneh, member of the Scientific Council of the ACHRS, Dr. Ibrahim Hijazin, member of the Scientific Council of the ACHRS, Dr. Lubna Bayouk, Teacher of Political Science, Arab Open University, Dr. Mohammad Al-Nsour, Teacher of Law, University of Jordan, Professor Dr. Omar Al-Akour / Deputy Dean for Development and Quality Affairs at the University of Jordan, Prof. Dr. Imad M Rabee / Vice President of Jerash University, Dr. Ali Al-Dabbas / Teacher of Law at Petra University.