“Students’ freedom of expression is fundamental and must be respected, including the right to demonstrate in public spaces, even when other events are taking place nearby.”

“It is unworthy of a democratic society and a tradition of academic freedom to remove certain opinions and people from the public space.”

“We are critical of the fact that the university has chosen to call in the police and escalate the situation, instead of holding a constructive dialogue with the students in Lundagård about how the graduation could be carried out.”

“We wish that our day of celebration had not been tarnished by Lund University’s behaviour towards its students and will work to ensure that the academic future we represent promotes freedom of expression and democratic dialogue.”

Written by fifteen recent PhD graduates at Lund University and participants in the doctoral degree conferment ceremony held on 31 May 2024. The ceremony was used as a pretext by the university administration to call the police to raid the student encampment Palestinagård after refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue with their students.

Published in Sydsvenskan on 31 May 2024.