SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Learn more.

Regions/Countries

Attack Types

Institutions

Date Range

Results

Date of Incident: October 23, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | India

Institution(s):Delhi University | Jamia Millia Islamia University | Jawaharlal Nehru University

On October 23, 2023, police detained over two hundred students from three universities— Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, and Delhi University—as they attempted to stage a protest outside the Israeli embassy in solidarity with Palestine. Police had set up ...

Attack Types: Imprisonment

Date of Incident: October 16, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | Iran

Institution(s):Al Zahra University

On October 16, 2023, Neda Tavallaie, a professor at Al Zahra University, posted on social media that her position had been terminated. Tavallaie’s (also written as “Tolaei”) dismissal comes amidst indications that the Iranian government is working “cleanse” universities of dissent. ...

Attack Types: Loss of Position

Date of Incident: October 12, 2023

Region & Country:Americas | United States of America

Institution(s):Columbia University

On October 12, 2023, a 24-year-old student at Columbia University's School of General Studies was assaulted and injured after he hung flyers of Israelis who had been abducted by Hamas. The attack occurred against the backdrop of a surprise Hamas attack ...

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances

Date of Incident: October 10, 2023

Region & Country:Western Asia | Palestine (OPT)

Institution(s):Islamic University of Gaza

On October 10, 2023, Israeli forces struck the Islamic University of Gaza with air to ground missiles, destroying several of the university’s buildings. The decision occurred against the backdrop of a surprise Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that left ...

Attack Types: Other

Date of Incident: October 10, 2023

Region & Country:Western Asia | Israel

Institution(s):University of Haifa

On October 10, 2023, the University of Haifa suspended several students who expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments on their social media accounts. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a surprise Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that left over 1,000 Israelis ...

Attack Types: Loss of Position

Date of Incident: October 05, 2023

Region & Country:Western Asia | Turkey

Institution(s):Dokuz Eylül University

On October 5, 2023, police detained eight Dokuz Eylül University students during a peaceful on-campus protest against increased food prices. The students gathered in the university cafeteria and banged cutlery on trays in protest of the price increase. Security guards confronted ...

Attack Types: Imprisonment

Date of Incident: September 27, 2023

Region & Country:Southern Asia | Bangladesh

Institution(s):Dhaka College

On September 27, 2023, members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling party (Awami League) assaulted a student and campus journalist, Faisal Ahmed, at Dhaka College. BCL members assaulted Faisal Ahmed, a second-year English department student and ...

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances

Date of Incident: September 24, 2023

Region & Country:Western Asia | Palestine (OPT)

Institution(s):Birzeit University

On September 24, 2023, dozens of Israeli special forces raided Birzeit University’s campus and arrested 8 students. The raid caused damage to campus property. The raid occurred during the early morning hours. According to a university statement, a convoy of special ...

Attack Types: Imprisonment | Other

Date of Incident: August 28, 2023

Region & Country:Americas | United States of America

Institution(s):Florida State University System

On August 28, 2023, the Florida State Board of Education voted to approve a new set of rules concerning bathroom use at state colleges for employees and students. The new rules potentially affect members of the transgender community on campus. Under ...

Attack Types: Other

Date of Incident: August 24, 2023

Region & Country:Eastern Africa | Madagascar

Institution(s):University of Antananarivo

On August 24, 2023, security forces clashed with student protesters at the University of Antananarivo in Ankatso. The students were demonstrating for the resumption of classes and an increase in scholarship aid. The university had been closed since July 17 because ...

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances | Imprisonment