Swiss student umbrella organization criticizes university staffing
Published: Thursday, May 16th 2024, 16:40
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The Association of Swiss Student Bodies (VSS) condemns the current occupations of Swiss universities in connection with the Middle East conflict. With some discriminatory demands and calls for violence, the current student movements have "lost all legitimacy".
The line between anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and discrimination must never be crossed, according to a press release issued by the VSS on Thursday. Calls for a blanket boycott of scientific collaboration, such as those made by some of the occupants, must be rejected. Academic freedom means fact-based diversity of opinion.
However, the umbrella organization of all Swiss student bodies also wrote that the right to protest and freedom of assembly must be upheld. Protest actions and occupations at universities are a legitimate and important means of expressing opinions. The VSS holds the universities responsible for the current escalation of the situation, which has led to the occupations.
Since October 7, 2023, i.e. the terrorist acts of Hamas in Israel, a climate of silence has been promoted at universities, which prevents constructive and open discourse. Universities should proactively provide spaces for academic approaches and discussions on a highly complex conflict instead of censoring it.
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