The repression of student protesters in the United States is disproportionate and violates their rights

A group of independent UN human rights experts* expressed to the US government its concern about the Mass repression of pro-Palestinian student protests on various university campuses in the United States.

In a joint statement released Thursday, the special rapporteurs said these actions are disproportionate, lack legal justification and can significantly affect students’ freedom, health, education and professional future.

Students across the United States have organized peaceful sit-ins and protests against the Israeli military onslaught in Gaza and to express solidarity with Gazan civilians and oppose their universities’ affiliations with companies that profit from the conflict and occupation.

Many of these camps have been cleared out with a heavy hand by police responding to requests from university administrations. These operations have sent some protesters to the hospital.

The protests are not anti-Semitic

The experts They categorically rejected accusations of anti-Semitism with which certain American politicians and university authorities have referred to the protests.

“It is inaccurate and It is unjustified to label all peaceful demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinian people as anti-Semitic.calls for a ceasefire in Gaza or criticism of Israeli policy,” they stressed.

The special rapporteurs expressed their concern about the chilling effect that attacks, threats, reprisals, political pressure, stigmatisation and accusations of anti-Semitism could have on the diversity of opinions, affecting academic freedom in universities, inside and outside the classroom.

“We call on the government and university administrations to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and the defence of rights, in line with international human rights laws, and to create a safe and enabling environment in which everyone can freely express their opinions on matters of public interest,” they stressed.

Repression must stop immediately

The experts said the ban and attacks on student protests “constitute a serious violation of the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression guaranteed by international human rights law, and must cease immediately.”

Students have denounced serious retaliation for their participation in the protests, including summons, arrests, and even academic sanctions.

Expulsion and suspension of studies, loss of university housing, undue surveillance and denial of graduation are some of the punitive measures applied to students.

“We urge academic authorities to ensure that students are not punished or treated unfairly for exercising their rights “fundamental human rights,” the experts stressed, calling for the readmission of those expelled.

They recalled that Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by the United States, and Article 5 of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, require respect for freedom of peaceful assembly.

“Private campuses have a responsibility to respect human rights, and restrictions must be legitimate, necessary and proportionate,” they said.

“Peaceful protests and rights movements must be facilitated as part of democratic processes”the experts pointed out.

The signatories of the statement are: Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Cecilia M. Bailliet, Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights; Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls; George Katrougalos, expert on the promotion of a democratic international order; Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls; and Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations

* Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name for the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address specific country situations or thematic issues around the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.