Introduction

As part of its mandate to promote the free and responsible practice of science, the Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS) works in the area where science and human rights intersect. It considers individual cases of scientists whose freedoms and rights are restricted as a result of carrying out their work and provides assistance in such cases where its intervention can provide relief and support activities of other relevant actors. CFRS has also worked with the United Nations on the issue of the right to enjoy the benefits from scientific progress and its applications.

CFRS's engagement in this area is based on ICSU’s statutes and underpinned by international human rights instruments relevant to science and scientists. A compilation of relevant legal texts is provided under human rights documentation.