The UAB's commitment to ethical and responsible research in view of the situation in Palestine

The principles of action contained in our statutes proclaim that the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is governed by respect for human rights and by the principles of freedom, democracy, justice, equality, equity and solidarity, and that the UAB will promote the culture of peace, social progress and equality, expressly renouncing research directly oriented towards military purposes.

Therefore, and in relation to the unfortunate situation in Palestine, I would like to remind the university community that the activity of research and technology transfer can in no case be in contradiction with the firm commitment of the University with a culture of peace.

Moreover, the UAB Senate session of 30 May 2024 already urged the entire university community to review and, if necessary, suspend collaboration agreements with Israeli universities, companies and research centres that do not express a clear commitment to peace, international law and fundamental human rights. It also required the UAB to ensure that research and technology transfer activities in no case contradict this commitment. More recently, the Governing Council declared that the UAB will not sign new agreements or participate in new international agreements or projects of academic cooperation or research in collaboration with Israeli universities, agencies or institutions until the State of Israel guarantees a situation of absolute peace and respect for human rights in Palestine. It also stated that all institutional support will be given to research staff who, in compliance with the code of ethics and human rights policy of the UAB, wish to abandon a current research project.

Thus, it is the responsibility of the governing bodies to enforce all these precepts, and all members of the university community have the duty to respect, guarantee and enforce them.