In recent days, protests have taken place through campus camps – caused by students at the prestigious Columbia University in New York, demanding the government withdraw from Israel due to the occupation. and military attacks on Gaza – have spread across the country.
University administrations from the west coast to the east have taken different approaches, from Columbia’s initial response of authorizing police to disperse protests with force to continue to negotiate and allow the maintenance of the camps.
Protests in Columbia grow
Columbia protesters ignored an ultimatum from the university to leave the camp or risk being suspended on Monday. Early Tuesday morning, students took over historic Hamilton Hall on campus, barricading themselves inside.
The building was one of those occupied by students during the 1968 civil rights and Vietnam War protests.
The university’s president announced earlier on Monday that dialogue with protesters had failed and that the school would not bow to demands to divest from Israel.
Universities should ‘properly manage’ protest response: Guterres
Speaking to reporters in New York about the Gaza crisis, UN Secretary General António Guterres was asked about the protests in America.
“First of all I think It is necessary in all cases to ensure freedom of expression and peaceful protest but at the same time be clear that hate speech is unacceptable“, he say.
He added that it should be left to university authorities to “properly manage” the situation and decide on the appropriate response to the protests.
Right to protest is ‘fundamental’
In his statement on Tuesday, United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk said that freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly are “fundamental to society,” especially when there is conflict. Strong disagreements over major issues related to the conflict in occupied Palestine. Territories and Israel.
He noted that in recent weeks, thousands of college students in the United States have protested the war and that many demonstrations have taken place without incident.
However, there have also been hundreds of arrests following the intervention of security forces on some campuses. Many were later released while others still face charges or academic sanctions.
Actions by governments and law enforcement officials to limit such expressions need to be carefully reviewed to ensure they do not go beyond what is clearly necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of others or for other lawful purposes, such as maintaining public health or order, Mr. Türk said.
Inciting violence ‘must be strongly rejected’
“I am concerned that some enforcement actions at a range of universities have had a disproportionate impact”, he emphasized.
The rights chief emphasized that any clearly anti-Semitic behavior and speech is completely unacceptable and extremely worrying. “Anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian behavior and rhetoric are equally reprehensible,” he said.
“Incitement to violence or hatred based on identity or opinion – whether real or assumed – must be strongly rejected,” he continued. “We have seen how dangerous such rhetoric can quickly lead to real violence.”
He said any acts of violence should be addressed on a case-by-case basis rather than through sweeping measures that “identify all members of the protest of unacceptable views.” of a few”.
A message of thanks to students around the world protesting the events in Gaza was hung on a tent in the south of the enclave.
Human rights law
“Here as elsewhere, The response of universities and law enforcement agencies needs to be guided by human rights lawenable robust debate and protect safe spaces for all.”
The High Commissioner stressed that any restrictions on fundamental freedoms of expression must be guided by “legality, necessity and proportionality” and applied without discrimination .
“American universities have a strong historical tradition of student activism, vigorous debate, freedom of speech and peaceful assembly,” Mr. Türk said.
“It must be clear that the lawful exercise of freedom of expression cannot be confused with incitement to violence and hatred.”
Protesters demonstrate outside the Columbia University campus in New York City.
