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We can provide knowledge when human rights are violated – Vice-chancellor's blog

Published 5 October 2022
Vice-Chancellor Erik Renström. Photo by Kennet Ruona.
Vice-Chancellor Erik Renström. Photo by Kennet Ruona.

In the past week, several reports of the human rights protests in Iran have reached the wider world. Lund University has also been touched by these protests, which have spread and are now visible in the West, on the streets, in social media and the European Parliament, for example.

Lund University stands up for and safeguards democracy, freedom of opinion, respect for everyone’s equal value, and human rights and freedoms. My sincere hope is that the Iranian people will also be able to experience these rights, and we now see the great courage with which the people of Iran are demonstrating for these legitimate demands for freedom.

Lund University also supports the statement by the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions, issued in response to the protests in Iran.

I am deeply concerned that democracy is on the retreat in many parts of the world and that human rights are being violated in several countries. The violence that Iran is now directing to those protesting against the regime, including students and university employees, is something that sadly we have seen before. I feel great empathy and admiration for all those struggling for human rights in the world, often risking their own lives in doing so.

When democracy is in retreat and human freedoms and rights are violated or abolished, universities have an important role: to contribute knowledge and to be part of the public debate. I will therefore flag up a seminar here at Lund University on the subject of Iran, planned for 17 October. All those of you who would like to gain a more in-depth picture of Iran should keep an eye on the events calendar – more details will be released as soon as they are confirmed.

I will also take the opportunity in this blog post to raise the fact that the situation remains critical for Swedish-Iranian researcher and physician Ahmadreza Djalali, sentenced to death in Iran in 2017 after a trial that took place with no regard whatsoever for the rule of law. The date for the implementation of the sentence has passed and as far as we know he is still alive, but information about his future is patchy or non-existent.

Democracy and human rights and freedoms go hand in hand with academic freedom. For that reason, the University must always be extra vigilant when these rights are threatened around the world.

/Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor

 

The seminar:

CMES* Public Panel: The Protests in Iran, 17 October, 15:15–17:00
Learn more about and register for the seminar in the University's event calendar on lu.se

*CMES is the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University.

Categories
External engagement Middle East research
29 Feb 2024