Principles of State Responsibility to Protect Higher Education from Attack
Posted April 15, 2016
In 2014, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) developed and sought wide recognition of a statement of Principles of State Responsibility to Protect Higher Education from Attack.
The primary purpose of the Principles is not to create new legal obligations but rather to highlight existing normative frameworks that oblige states to:
- abstain from direct or complicit involvement in attacks on higher education,
- protect higher education against present and future attack,
- assist victims of attacks, and
- deter future attacks, including by investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable.
Higher education institutions are encouraged to demonstrate support for these Principles, to assist states in reviewing national policies and laws, and to take all reasonable measures to assist victims and help deter future attacks.