On June 10, 2024, police forcibly evicted several dozen students who had occupied the dean’s office at the University of Seville’s (US) Faculty of Philology, injuring at least one student.
The students had occupied the office demanding that the university cut ties with Israeli institutions. While US had previously announced on May 27 that it would temporarily suspend agreements with Israeli universities, the students believed that the terms of the temporary suspension were not sufficiently clear and wanted the university also to sever ties with companies and financial institutions complicit with Israeli military action.
Around 11:30 pm on June 10, riot police attempted to enter the room that the students were occupying. Videos taken of the scene show police tackling a student who has blood running down his arms. Seville’s emergency services confirmed that by 11:48, they had received reports of several people with injuries and that a medical team evacuated one person to the hospital.
The university later released a statement that the protesters had “been increasing in hostility and aggressiveness in recent days,” and accused them of attacking one person occupying the dean’s office. The rector had therefore decided to request police intervention
Scholars at Risk is concerned about violence on campus, including the disproportionate use of force by police while dispersing student protesters. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians. Students too must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression, and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe living conditions for students. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, violence on campus undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.
Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2024/06/11/watch-dramatic-scenes-in-spains-sevilla-university-as-riot-police-forcibly-remove-students-protesting-against-israels-war-in-gaza/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jun/11/israel-gaza-war-live-benjamin-netanyahu-hamas-latest-news
https://www.elsaltodiario.com/sevilla/estudiantes-sevilla-ocupan-rectorado-falsa-ruptura-israel-anunciada-universidad
https://www.eldebate.com/espana/andalucia/sevilla/20240611/antidisturbios-ponen-fin-ocupacion-ilegal-activistas-pro-gaza-decanato-filologia_204179.html
https://www.us.es/comunicaciones-oficiales/comunicado-del-rector-de-la-universidad-de-sevilla
https://twitter.com/USporPalestina/status/1800281691858014342
https://twitter.com/USporPalestina/status/1800283915455738040