On October 24, 2024, the Teachers’ Union Association (AGD) of the Basic Common Cycle at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) announced that several professors had received “intimidating and threatening calls” in apparent retaliation for their participation in protests against governmental spending cuts to universities.

On October 3, Argentine President Javier Milei vetoed the University Financing Law, a move that effectively defunded universities across the country. In response, faculty and students across Argentina organized demonstrations to protest against President Milei’s decision.

On October 24, the AGD released a statement condemning the threatening and intimidating messages sent to UBA faculty members on their personal devices. An anonymous faculty member reported receiving messages, such as: “Do your job instead of indoctrinating, leftist,” and “Left-handed people like you are going to cry a lot, decades of libertarian prosperity are coming.” It is unclear how the individuals got a hold of the faculty members’ personal numbers.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about threats aimed at intimidating the higher education community in retaliation for their exercise of their right to freedom of expression and freedom of association. Members of the public must refrain from actions that chill or restrict such conduct, regardless of political or ideological differences in opinion. State and higher education authorities have an obligation to take available measures to protect the functioning of the higher education space, as well as a responsibility to protect the freedom of scholars to peacefully protest. Threats and intimidation by members of the public undermine academic freedom democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.pagina12.com.ar/777258-docentes-de-la-uba-recibieron-amenazas-por-protestar-contra-
https://elintransigente.com/2024/10/del-aula-al-miedo-docentes-de-la-uba-bajo-amenazas-por-defender-la-universidad-publica/