The UN Rights Chief expresses worry regarding the "overly aggressive" policing of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on American college campuses.

In a formal statement, Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has voiced apprehension regarding the "disproportionate impact" of law enforcement interventions on American university campuses aimed at disbanding pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

"I am concerned that some of the measures taken by law enforcement at a number of universities appear to have had a disproportionate impact," Türk's communiqué stated, referring to a series of "heavy-handed measures taken to disperse and dismantle protests" across U.S. campuses.

The wave of protests against Israel's ongoing military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has swept through American universities for over ten days, originating from Columbia University in New York, where a hundred individuals were arrested on April 18th.

Hundreds of Students Arrested

"Large-scale demonstrations have also taken place on campuses in other countries in recent days," Türk's office noted, adding that most protests have unfolded peacefully and continue to do so.

However, in several instances, security forces have dispersed or dismantled the demonstrations, leading to the arrest of hundreds of students. While many have been released, others still face charges or academic sanctions.

Türk emphasized that measures taken by university authorities and law enforcement to restrict this expression must be carefully examined to ensure they do not exceed what is manifestly necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of others or maintain public health or order.

Anti-Semitic and Anti-Arab Rhetoric

"Freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly are fundamental to society – particularly when there are profound disagreements on major issues, as is the case regarding the conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel," he declared.

Acknowledging the strong historical tradition of student activism, robust debates, and freedom of expression and peaceful assembly on American campuses, Türk stressed that legitimate exercise of free speech cannot be conflated with incitement to violence and hatred.

The protests have reignited the tense debate surrounding freedom of expression and allegations of anti-Semitism following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7th. Türk underscored that anti-Semitic behavior and rhetoric are "totally unacceptable and deeply disturbing," while "anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian conduct and speech are equally reprehensible."

Dangerous Rhetoric

He emphasized the need to firmly reject "incitement to violence or hatred based on identity or viewpoints, whether real or perceived," as "we have already seen how such dangerous rhetoric can quickly escalate into real violence."

Nevertheless, Türk asserted that "such conduct can and should be addressed individually, rather than through sweeping measures that impute to all members of a protest the unacceptable views of some."

"Here, as elsewhere, the responses of universities and law enforcement must be guided by human rights law, allowing for robust debate and protecting safe spaces for all," concluded the UN's human rights chief.

An independent UN human rights expert has also accused universities of suppressing students protesting Israel's war in Gaza, shining a spotlight on the issue of freedom of expression worldwide.

"The Gaza crisis is becoming a global crisis for freedom of expression," said Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.