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Letter of Appeal from the AAAS Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility

July 28, 1999

The Honorable D. Banks
Consul
The Canadian Embassy
P. O. Box 117, Post Office No. 22
Bucharest, Romania

Fax: (011 40 1) 312-9680

Dear Mr. Banks:

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the largest organization of natural and social scientists in the United States, and the world's largest federation of scientific societies, with 143,000 individual members and 282 affiliated groups. AAAS has been in the forefront of advocacy for the rights of scientists, researchers, and academicians to exchange information and ideas and to participate in scientific activities. Our AAAS Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility was formed in 1976 to protect the human rights of scientists and to deal with issues relating to scientific freedom worldwide.

I am writing on behalf of the Committee to express our concern regarding the denial of a visitor's visa to Canada for Natalia Malkova, a physicist from Moldovia who was invited to participate in four-day meeting of the International Conference on Structure of Surface (ECSOS-6). The meeting is taking place at the University of British Columbia in British Columbia from July 26 to July 30. Dr. Malkova was awarded financial support by the conference organizers, who waived her registration fee, and the Moldova Soros Foundation, which offered to pay her travel expenses. Although it is clearly too late for Dr. Malkova to attend the meeting, we urge you to use your good offices to respect the right of scientists to participate in International Conferences.

It is our understanding that Dr. Malkova is currently awaiting the results of her family's application for residency status in Canada; however, there is no indication that the pending application should preclude her from subsequent visits, particularly those undertaken for professional purposes. Dr. Malkova has clearly stated her intention to return to Moldova following the conference to await the decision on her residency status.

AAAS has long been concerned about the right of scientists to travel. The right to travel has special significance for members of the scientific and academic communities worldwide. Scientific and academic societies, as well as international bodies such as the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), have recognized the right to travel as essential for the effective conduct of science and other academic pursuits.

The denial of a Canadian visitor's visa to Dr. Malkova, who is a scientist of international reputation, constitutes an infringement of the free exchange of information on which the international scientific community depends.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,



Irving Lerch, Chair
AAAS Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility

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