Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government is facing growing outcry for rescinding a fellowship for the former head of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, over his criticism and the group’s criticism of Israel’s human rights record. Ken Roth is one of the most recognized human rights defenders in the world. He headed Human Rights Watch from 1993 to 2022. In 2021, Human Rights Watch made headlines when it published a major report accusing Israel of committing crimes against humanity, including apartheid.
In June, Ken Roth agreed to take a fellowship at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy inside Harvard’s Kennedy School. But several weeks later, Roth learned Harvard Kennedy School Dean Douglas Elmendorf had vetoed the fellowship. Roth was told it was because he criticized Israel.
The American Civil Liberties Union has called Harvard’s decision to rescind the fellowship to Ken Roth, quote, “profoundly troubling.” PEN America has also criticized Harvard’s decision, saying in a statement, quote, “Withholding Roth’s participation in a human rights program due to his own staunch critiques of human rights abuses by governments
— source democracynow.org | Jan 09, 2023