The Human Rights Law Centre has written to the University of Melbourne urging the Vice-Chancellor to abandon her decision to suspend and expel students for a protest in support of Palestine. 

The letter cites the University’s obligations to upholds students’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as well as to provide fairness and due process in its disciplinary proceedings. It notes serious concerns that the decision is incompatible with the University’s obligations under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights.  

On top of the severe harm to the individual students, the decision will also have a chilling and stigmatising effect on protest, intellectual and student life on campus.  

These expulsions are part of a disturbing trend of universities taking increasingly repressive measures against student protesters, including a policy implemented by the University of Melbourne earlier this year to ban indoor protests and allow the widespread surveillance of people using their wi–fi network. 

Sarah Schwartz, Legal Director, Human Rights Law Centre said:   

“The University of Melbourne’s decision to expel students for a protest in support of Palestine is incredibly severe, with profound and lifelong repercussions for affected students. 

“These punishments will have a chilling and stigmatising effect on protests and campus life.  

“Australian universities have a proud history as the sites of student protest, many of which involved disruptive tactics. Our own Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was involved in climbing and defacing a clock tower at the University of Sydney and leading an occupation of a faculty staff common room. 

“We are deeply concerned at the increasingly repressive measures being taken by the University of Melbourne against student protesters. Students who wish to stand up for human rights should be encouraged to do so.”