University of the Highlands and Islands cancels lecture by Palestinian environmental scientist Mazin Qumsiyeh, without an explanation
DATE
LOCATION
TARGETED PERSON/INSTITUTION
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh, Palestinian environmental scientist
DOMAIN/FIELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR BAN
University of the Highlands and Islands (senior management); Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vicki Nairn
The university cancelled an invited lecture by Palestinian environmental scientist Mazin Qumsiyeh, titled 'Sustainability and Biodiversity Preservation in Developing Countries', scheduled for 21 November 2024 in Inverness. The cancellation was communicated by a short email with no explanation given.
BRISMES CAF wrote to the Principal and Vice-Chancellor on 15 January 2025 raising concern at the last-minute cancellation and noting an earlier comparable cancellation affecting a Palestinian artist. The university did not reply.
BRISMES argued the practice risked breaching duties under section 26 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 and Article 10 ECHR.