Universities are cornerstones of our democracy, where people should be able to express ideas, gather peacefully and have difficult conversations. Students have been at the forefront of driving societal change, from movements advocating for climate justice, LGBTIQA+ liberation, to challenging Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

But over the last year, we have witnessed a disturbing trend of universities attacking the rights of students and staff to protest against human rights abuses. 

The Human Rights Law Centre is urging the University of Melbourne to abandon new policy changes that severely restrict protest rights and allow widespread surveillance of students and staff through the universities’ wifi network. 

Students should be commended, not punished, for peacefully standing up for human rights.

Alongside Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International we have written to the Vice Chancellor citing serious concerns with the proposed restrictions , including a ban on indoor protests, and amendments to its Wireless Terms of Use policy which permits surveillance without any suspicion of wrongdoing or misuse of the network.

Similar restrictions have also been proposed or implemented at a number of universities across Australia.

The freedom to express ideas, peaceful assemble and right to privacy are fundamental human rights which must be protected. Universities should protect these rights and abandon anti-protest and surveillance policies.

Universities must be spaces where critical debate and diverse perspectives are not only tolerated but encouraged. We will continue to fight the draconian efforts by universities and protect our right to peaceful protest, whether it’s on campuses, at work, or on our streets.

Image credit: Matt Hrkac