ACLU Comment On Harvard's Refusal to Approve Fellowship For Kenneth Roth, Former HRW Head

January 6, 2023 3:00 pm

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WASHINGTON – In response to the news that the Harvard Kennedy School refused to approve a fellowship offered to long-time Human Rights Watch head, Kenneth Roth, after HRW criticised Israel’s human rights record, Anthony D. Romero, American Civil Liberties Union executive director, issued the following statement:

“Few people have done more to advance human rights than Kenneth Roth. If Harvard’s decision was based on HRW’s advocacy under Ken’s leadership, this is profoundly troubling – from both a human rights and an academic freedom standpoint. Scholars and fellows have to be judged on their merits, not whether they please powerful political interests. We urge Harvard to reverse its decision.”

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