Posters removed and restrictions placed on student actions against the genocide in Gaza, at Carlos III University of Madrid
DATE
LOCATION
TARGETED PERSON/INSTITUTION
UC3M student associations, including Abrir Brecha, the Comité de Palestina and the Asamblea de Estudiantes
DOMAIN/FIELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR BAN
Carlos III University of Madrid (UC3M), vice-rectorate responsible for student associations
On 23 November 2023, UC3M's vice-rectorate adopted a communication protocol for student associations. It bars them from using the university's visual identity, requires them to request authorisation ten days before publicising any event, and demands compliance with a principle of "institutional loyalty". Ten associations, including the Comité de Palestina, refused to apply it.
According to the association Abrir Brecha, which was running the campaign "UC3M patrocina el genocidio palestino" ("UC3M sponsors the Palestinian genocide") against the university's agreements with Israeli universities, UC3M banned posters on the subject, removed those already put up, withdrew permission to hang banners and threatened legal action. In late February 2024, the associations' premises were closed during the Asamblea de Estudiantes' events, and disciplinary proceedings were opened against students. The university, for its part, says it merely protected its image and temporarily suspended use of the premises for breach of the rules of use.
In May 2024, during the wave of university mobilisations for Gaza, UC3M students again publicly denounced the university's censorship of their actions against the genocide.