Reports Roundup (September 29)

[The following list is a compilation of the reports, statements, and other materials featured on the Jadaliyya Reports Page this past week.]

Living Under Drones: Death, Injury, and Trauma to Civilians from US Drone Practices in Pakistan This study, published jointly by centers at Stanford Law School and NYU School of Law, investigates the effects of American drone strikes on civilians in Pakistan, including not only casualty statistics, but also mental and social effects.

UNHCR Releases New Guidelines for Detention of Asylum-Seekers Due to the increasing use of detention in countries around the world, the United Nations High Commission on Refugees has isssued a set of guidelines for the treatment of asylum-seekers. The guidelines clarify that seeking asylum is not a crime and that mandatory and indefinite forms of detention are considered illegal.

An Open Letter from California Scholars for Academic Freedom to the 66 Co-Authors of California House Resolution 35 California Scholars for Academic Freedom condemns California HR-35, which is meant to limit "anti-Semitism" by silencing criticism of Israel. In particular, CSAF takes issue with the resolution's definition of anti-Semitism, which includes "statements that describe Israeli as a racist state," "charging Israel with crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing," and "boycott, divest, and sanction programs."

California's Largest Student Union Votes to Condemn Attempts at Silencing Dissent The University of California Student Association issued a resolution condemning California HR-35, which stifles criticism of Israel, ostensibly aiming to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism on campus. UCSA asserts that the HR-35 falsely equates anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and raises the issues of academic freedom and freedom of speech in reference to the bill. 

Letter Concering Suspension of Department of Politics and Government at Ben Gurion University The Committee on Academic Freedom addresses the Israeli Minister of Education with its concern over the suspension of student admission to the Department of Politics and Ben Gurion University, citing that such a move is a threat to academic expression and could potentially harm the reputation of Israeli universities.

What a Seven Day Teachers' Strike Can Accomplish: Key Contract Issues Following a Chigaco teacher's strike, the Chicago Tribune summarizes the issues and what was accomplished by the teachers' protest.