Collaboration with Israeli Partners: Ghent University Tightens Human Rights Policy

The Board decided to continue the current exit policy regarding ongoing projects involving an Israeli partner that has been deemed problematic by the Committee on Human Rights Policy and Dual Use Research (CMDUO). An updated status report will be presented at the next Board meeting.

For new collaborations and those positively advised by the CMDUO, the Board decided that, where necessary, an additional declaration must be signed by the partner, stating that they distance themselves from and acknowledge serious violations of international (humanitarian) law.

The Board also instructed the university’s management to seek additional international and cross-institutional legal advice regarding possible further legal actions.

Finally, the Board mandated the Rector to continue constructive dialogue with the activists.

Rector Petra De Sutter and Vice-Rector Herwig Reynaert:
“We continue our efforts to terminate Ghent University’s collaborations with problematic Israeli partners. Over the past weeks and months, many people have asked us: shouldn’t Ghent University take a stricter approach to international collaborations? Shouldn’t we introduce new criteria to assess whether everything complies with international (humanitarian) law? Today’s constructive debate in the Board marks another step forward. When it comes to human rights, we take no risks. In cases of uncertainty, we eliminate any doubt and ask partners to declare that they distance themselves from and acknowledge serious violations of international (humanitarian) law.”