Dear fellow students,
We are at a pivotal point in history. Recently, a Columbia University student, Mahmoud Khalil, was publicly defamed by US President Trump as an anti-Semitic terror supporter, and later imprisoned. With this move, a fundamental right that must be protected in any democratic society is being trampled on. This alarming event strikes at the heart of academic freedom, human rights and the fundamental principles that universities should uphold.
An attack on one student - anywhere - is an attack on us all. The university must remain a place of free thought and open discourse. In addition, Trump's inflationary use of the equation between anti-Semitism and criticism of Israel also contributes to the fact that this term, and thus the problem, is becoming less and less important. However, antisemitism is real and growing, and the instrumentalization of Jewish suffering for political power struggles must not be allowed.
We invite the university management of the HfMT and our AStA to issue an official statement unequivocally condemning this abduction of student Mahmoud Khalil and upholding freedom of expression and the right to protest. It is our duty to ensure that our university does not remain silent in these times. We call on all students to sign this open letter and raise our collective voice!
With best regards, and in solidarity,
Students of the University of Music and Dance
Sources:
CNN article on the imprisonment of Mahmoud Khalil
edition.cnn.com/2025/03/10/us/mahmoud-khalil-colum...
Time article on the addition of the USA to the “Human Rights Watchlist” due to attacks on civil rights