Two students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) who called for an academic boycott against Israel are facing suspension. Their peers protested against the disciplinary proceedings on Friday morning.
The two pupils of the VUB university in Brussels, along with dozens of other students, carried out "a peaceful action at the VUB's staff barbecue" at the end of June. Based on an analysis of video footage and audio clips, the VUB started disciplinary proceedings against the two students – Johanna Pinket and a person who wishes to remain anonymous. They risk a one-year suspension from all classes and exams, De Standaard reports.
They are appearing before the university disciplinary committee on Friday. A group of activists gathered in front of the building where the disciplinary committee met to demand that the disciplinary proceedings be withdrawn, Bruzz reports.
A heavy-handed approach
The two students must answer for possible stalking and inappropriate behaviour but the university did not disclose more information about the exact content of the meeting, or about possible punishment.
Pinket is also facing an external complaint from MP Koen Daniëls (N-VA), one of the invitees to the staff barbecue. Pinket questioned Daniëls about his party's position on the war in Gaza. Daniëls says he felt she intimidated him and filed a complaint with his local police.
Protesting students occupy the rector's office of the VUB in June. Credit: Belga/ Timon Ramboer
"There is no question whatsoever of criminal offences. Stalking? My clients only addressed a Flemish MP during a very widely supported protest," the students' lawyer Laura Adriaensens (Progress Lawyers Network) responded.
She also criticised the VUB for immediately opting for disciplinary proceedings. "Its regulations state that this is only possible if attempts at conciliation or mediation have failed. We do not know why the VUB is immediately taking the toughest course of action but we seriously question this."
Silencing students?
The students argued that the university denied them their right to peaceful protest and wants "to silence anti-Israeli protest". The VUB contested this, saying that "The right to protest is fundamental to the VUB, at least if it is done non-violently and respectfully."
Its spokesperson added that the disciplinary procedure "has nothing to do with the content of the protest" but more about the way it was conducted.
Dozens of VUB students on several occasions occupied a building of their university, on the main campus in Etterbeek earlier this year to protest against the Israeli war against Gaza. The activists wanted to pressure the university to break partnerships with organisations which contribute to the Israeli military offensive.
The action was lifted after two months following a mutual agreement between the activists and VUB Rector Jan Danckaert.
