Till: Umeå university and rector Tora Holmberg
Umeå University stand up for academic freedom
This petition is directed at students and staff of Umeå university. We are gathering signatures to urge rector Tora Holmberg of Umeå university to issue a public statement in support of academic freedom and condemning Mahmoud Khalil's unjust detention.
Varför är det viktigt?
We affirm our unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of free expression, academic freedom, and the pursuit of knowledge. The detention of Mahmoud Khalil—a Columbia University student who has actively participated in advocating for justice and amplifying marginalized voices—raises profound concerns about the erosion of these values in academic spaces and beyond.
Universities are meant to be sanctuaries of open discourse, where diverse perspectives can be expressed without fear of persecution. The ability to question, critique, and challenge prevailing narratives lies at the heart of education and the advancement of society. Academic institutions must remain steadfast in protecting these rights, ensuring that students, faculty, and researchers can engage in meaningful dialogue and activism without the looming threat of retaliation.
The arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil not only threatened his personal safety and academic future but also cast a chilling effect on students, educators, and activists who rely on free expression to advocate for change. Such actions risk silencing dissent, discouraging critical inquiry, and undermining the core mission of education as a space for dialogue, growth, and understanding.
We call upon all academic institutions — to defend the right of students and scholars to engage in peaceful protest, express their beliefs, and contribute to global conversations without fear of punishment or deportation. We urge policymakers to uphold the principles enshrined in the First Amendment and to recognize that the pursuit of knowledge can only thrive in an environment where freedom of thought is not only permitted but protected.
The fight for justice, equality, and truth should never be met with detention. We stand in solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil and all those who seek to defend the inalienable right to speak, learn, and advocate for a better world.
Universities are meant to be sanctuaries of open discourse, where diverse perspectives can be expressed without fear of persecution. The ability to question, critique, and challenge prevailing narratives lies at the heart of education and the advancement of society. Academic institutions must remain steadfast in protecting these rights, ensuring that students, faculty, and researchers can engage in meaningful dialogue and activism without the looming threat of retaliation.
The arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil not only threatened his personal safety and academic future but also cast a chilling effect on students, educators, and activists who rely on free expression to advocate for change. Such actions risk silencing dissent, discouraging critical inquiry, and undermining the core mission of education as a space for dialogue, growth, and understanding.
We call upon all academic institutions — to defend the right of students and scholars to engage in peaceful protest, express their beliefs, and contribute to global conversations without fear of punishment or deportation. We urge policymakers to uphold the principles enshrined in the First Amendment and to recognize that the pursuit of knowledge can only thrive in an environment where freedom of thought is not only permitted but protected.
The fight for justice, equality, and truth should never be met with detention. We stand in solidarity with Mahmoud Khalil and all those who seek to defend the inalienable right to speak, learn, and advocate for a better world.
