23 January 2026
Bilbao Campus
The Human Rights Institute of the University of Deusto, a member of the Global Campus of Human Rights, expresses its full solidarity with Birzeit University, a member university of the Global Campus and a founding institution of the Arab Master’s Programme in Democracy and Human Rights, following the serious events that occurred on its campus on 6 January 2026, located in the West Bank, Palestine. Furthermore, the University of Deusto echoes the statement of firm condemnation issued by the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE).
According to the statement issued by the Global Campus of Human Rights, the Israeli army entered the Birzeit University campus, using live ammunition and rubber bullets. As a result of this intervention, at least 11 students were injured, and the university’s Vice-Rector was detained and interrogated. The presence and actions of military forces within a university environment constitute a serious violation of the right to education, academic freedom and university autonomy.
The Global Campus of Human Rights stresses that universities must be safe spaces for critical thinking, open debate and free expression, free from fear and intimidation. The right to peaceful assembly, as well as the physical inviolability of university campuses, are essential elements of academic freedom and of the fulfilment of the educational mission of higher education institutions.
The Human Rights Institute joins the Global Campus’s call for a full, independent and transparent investigation into the events that occurred, and for accountability for the disproportionate use of force. Likewise, the Government of Israel is urged to respect and protect the autonomy, safety and academic freedom of all higher education institutions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in accordance with its international human rights obligations.
The full statement of the Global Campus of Human Rights is attached to this news item.
