Academic freedom also under pressure in the Netherlands
From murder and violence to persecution and intimidation: the human rights organization Scholars at Risk counted 332 attacks on academic freedom in 65 countries, including the Netherlands, last year.
picture: Type tank
For the seventh time, Scholars at Risk has published the annual report Free to think released, with an inventory of violence and oppression against students and staff at universities around the world.
The makers counted 110 cases of murder, violence or disappearance. In another 101 cases, students or researchers disappeared in prison. Others were given travel restrictions or had to defend themselves in court.
Hong Kong
A well-known example is Hong Kong, where the Chinese government continues to restrict freedom of expression. The student movement, which is fighting for democracy, is getting less and less space.
Afghanistan was also in the news a lot: the Taliban in particular restrict the rights of female students and scientists. Incidentally, even before the takeover, several researchers in Afghanistan were killed by targeted attacks.
The Netherlands is also included in the report. Forum for Democracy is named because of it hotline for left-wing teachers. The makers also point to historians Nadia Bouras and Geert Mak, who were intimidated by 'Vizier op Links'. Bouras found a threatening sticker on the door frame of her home.
The United States also crops up a lot in the report, where deep political divisions lead to clashes. Teachers are fired, local laws prohibit classes in certain anti-racist theories, and funding for certain curricula is cut.
Necessary
The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is also discussed. Academics are also among the dead and injured. The report also reports arrests of activist students and travel restrictions on scientists. The parties should keep higher education out of the armed conflict, writes Scholars at Risk. Interventions on a campus should be proportional and necessary.
Since 2011, the organization has counted 2.150 incidents in 113 different countries. Scholars at Risk calls on governments and other parties to protect academic freedom.
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