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The Executive Board of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ has revised its rules and responsibilities regarding demonstrations. The update follows a recommendation from the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) which was commissioned by the university board. After the ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Council unanimously recommended the new guidelines, they were definitively adopted by the Executive Board.

The new rules and responsibilities explicitly address, among other things, the SIM's advice on occupations. The previous house rules contained an absolute ban, which, according to the advice, did not sufficiently reflect the legal nuances. According to the SIM, the right to demonstrate may also be exercised in the form of an occupation, but the SIM states that not every occupation needs to be permitted. The new guidelines therefore specify the situations in which a decision will be made on whether to intervene. It remains essential for the university board that, in the event of protests and occupations:
 

• The primary process of education and research is not seriously impeded. After all, the university must also be able to fulfil its legal obligation: providing education and conducting research.
• Safety and health, including for the demonstrators themselves, must be guaranteed at all times. The Security department and authorities that can assess the security must therefore have unrestricted access to the location in order to guarantee fire and escape safety.
• There is no violence, destruction, discrimination, hate speech or other criminal offences.

The university will always share these rules and responsibilities with demonstrators. If the primary process is hindered or if the safety of people and/or property is at risk, a decision will be made on a case-by-case basis – and in consultation with the competent government authorities – as to whether or not to intervene and in what manner. ‘We are committed to providing space for social engagement and to continuing to guarantee education and safety in a responsible manner,’ said Anton Pijpers, President of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. ‘We are pleased that the ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Council has given a positive recommendation on the new guidelines.’