Documents

Declaration of Inter-American Principles on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy

Institution: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

Publication date: December 2021

Language: Spanish & English

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is issuing—along with its Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression and its Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights—a Declaration of Inter-American Principles on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy, in order to improve protection and safeguards for academic freedom in the Americas.

This declaration of principles applies to higher education and stresses the importance of science and knowledge as public goods and as pillars of democracy, the rule of law, sustainable development, diversity of ideas, and academic progress. Science and knowledge are essential elements of all free, open, plural, fair, and equal societies.

In its declaration, the IACHR expresses its concern about allegations made in various countries in the Americas regarding repression against student groups and student unions, and also regarding harassment, attacks, and budget cuts affecting academic institutions, as well as about other forms of retaliation against members of academic communities based on arbitrary or discriminatory measures.