Amnesty International Australia

06/12/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2025 19:55

Amnesty demands University of Melbourne reverse expulsions and suspensions over Palestine protests

Amnesty International Australia is outraged by the University of Melbourne's decision to recommend two students for expulsion and two for suspension for participating in peaceful demonstrations for human rights to be protected for Palestinians in Gaza, last October.

"The right to protest is a fundamental human right that must be protected and upheld, and universities bear an enormous responsibility in safeguarding these rights,"

Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia's Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson

"Universities exist to foster critical thought, open dialogue, and academic freedom. They must never impose punitive measures on students who protest. The right to protest is a fundamental human right that must be protected and upheld, and universities bear an enormous responsibility in safeguarding these rights," says Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia's Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson.

Amnesty International Australia demands the Vice Chancellor of the University of Melbourne immediately reverse this decision.

The university must not contribute to the repression and restriction of student protest rights; it must uphold its duty to protect freedom of expression and protest.

Alarmingly, if these decisions stand, these University of Melbourne students will become the first Palestinian justice activists in Australia to face such severe punitive measures as suspension and expulsion. This sets an extremely dangerous precedent for student protestors nationwide.

"Students possess an inalienable right to protest, and universities must respect and support these expressions of freedom of expression and assembly. Students involved in these demonstrations are voicing their opposition to genocide, apartheid, war crimes and crimes, perpetrated by individuals who still walk free.

"Student activism is the lifeblood of human rights struggles; universities should champion it, not crush it."

Mohamed Duar

"Historically, student protests have been at the epicentre of fundamental human rights movements- from the fight for civil rights in the USA and justice for First Nations in Australia to the dismantling of apartheid South Africa and opposition to the Iraq war. Student activism is the lifeblood of human rights struggles; universities should champion it, not crush it.

"We stand in unwavering solidarity with the students facing these repressive and authoritarian measures imposed by the University of Melbourne. Disciplinary action against students only serves to unfairly restrict students' right to protest. Amnesty calls on the university to collaborate with students to facilitate their right to peaceful protest, instead of punishing them. Students should not face expulsion or suspension for participating in peaceful protest."

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