Human rights experts call on universities to respect pro-Palestinian protests
Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of assembly and association, warning that thing “The brutal suppression of university protests is a profound threat to democratic systems and institutions..”
Furthermore, “it risk alienating an entire generationharming their participation and perception of their role in democratic processes, in addition to failing to take responsibility to prevent atrocities and contribute to peace.”
Show solidarity
International solidarity movements in support of the Palestinian people, including for their right to self-determination, have increased since the start of the war in Gaza nearly a year ago this month.
Mass protests and demonstrations, as well as occupations, encampments, and other forms of peaceful assembly have taken place around the world, with many protests led by university students.
“After reviewing the persistent allegations and speaking with approximately 150 people from 30 countries, including students and faculty, I can conclude that the situation surrounding the protests and national solidarity towards the Palestinian people and victims in the university environment, coupled with inadequate institutional responses, shows that a widespread hostile environment for the peaceful exercise of freedoms of assembly and association”, Ms. Romero said.
A global movement is growing
With students now returning from their year-end break, peaceful assemblies have continued to take place at universities around the world, “rejoining the growing global movement to defend human rights.” and Palestinian life, and anticipates commemorations by both Israeli and Palestinian solidarity groups in October.”
She made six recommendations to academic institutions, calling on them to “recognize and respect the importance of the free and meaningful participation of young people and their valuable contributions to humanity.” rights, dignity, peace and justice, including the exercise of their public freedoms”.
It is important to “immediately end the discrimination and hostility that silences members of the academic community and prevents the exercise of their rights,” she continued.
Universities must also “actively facilitate and protect peaceful assemblies, including by prioritizing negotiation and mediation where necessary, and Refrain from calling on law enforcement to disperse peaceful protests”.
Stop monitoring students
They should also refrain from and end any surveillance and punishment of students and staff for expressing their views or participating in peaceful assemblies.
Ms. Romero also called for ensuring transparent and independent investigations into human rights violations committed in the context of concentration camps and other peaceful assemblies, and for the abolition of sanctions related to exercise of fundamental freedoms. In this regard, affected students and staff should also be provided with effective and adequate remedies.
Finally, academic institutions must ensure that their regulations are in line with international standards.
Shaping the future
Rights experts emphasize that universities and other educational institutions have an important “window of opportunity” to learn from the experiences of the pro-Palestinian solidarity movement at universities and repair harms .
“They must recognize that their responsibilities extend beyond campus borders – their actions have the power to shape political discourse, culture, civic education and ultimately sustainability,” she said. in the future of democracy, freedom and human rights.”
“Respecting and ensuring dissent is essential to ensure universities still have space for freedom of thought, speech and academic freedomas well as to ensure freedom of expression, assembly and association.”
Introduction to UN rapporteurs
Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on country-specific situations or thematic issues.
They are not employees of the United Nations, do not receive compensation for their work and do not represent any government or organization.
