SU staff call for a stand against Gaza genocide: ‘Let’s be on the right side of history’
Stellenbosch University has been largely silent on the issue, unlike several other institutions.
Stellenbosch University, Wikimedia Commons
CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with Prof. Sandy Liebenberg, Distinguished Professor and the HF Oppenheimer Chair in Human Rights Law in the Faculty of Law, Stellenbosch University.
Listen below:
More than 200 members of staff at SU have signed and released a statement calling for the university to take a vocal stand on Palestine.
This would include cutting ties with Israeli universities until there is a complete cessation of hostilities.
In the statement they say Stellenbosch has been largely silent on the issue, unlike several other institutions.
They add that Stellenbosch has a ‘special moral responsibility’ to take a stand because of its history of facilitating and collaborating with apartheid and human rights violations.
In 2018 the university adopted a Restitution Statement, acknowledging and expressing ‘deep regret’ for its contribution to the injustices of the past.
“The University of Stellenbosch didn’t cover itself in glory during the apartheid era in its stance towards apartheid. They were certainly on the wrong side of history there.”
- Prof Sandy Liebenberg, Distinguished Professor at Stellenbosch University
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Liebenberg says they hope this statement will spark a serious engagement by the university to find the best way to take a stand and take concrete actions.
“We think there is a special burden for the university in the face of such atrocities… to be on the right side of history this time.”
- Prof Sandy Liebenberg, Distinguished Professor at Stellenbosch University
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