Scientists and students consider Baudet's arrival a 'betrayal of democracy'

Forty UU scientists and students have sent an email to the Executive Board and the faculty board of Law, Economics & Governance, strongly condemning the decision to allow the leader of the Forum for Democracy (FvD) party, Thierry Baudet, to participate in an election debate held on the faculty on Wednesday. The event was organised by three major study associations of that faculty. 

Many scholars of Political History and Cultural History are among the signatories, including the Professor of Political History Ido de Haan, and the Professor of Modern Political History Annelien de Dijn. Other signatories include Beatrice De Graaf, Professor of History of International Relations & Global Governance; Ingrid Robeyns, Professor of Ethics of Institutions; and Bald de Vries, Professor of Interdisciplinary Legal Education. The members of the University Council and two members of the Law, Economics & Governance faculty council (both from the Vuur student party) have also signed the letter.

Protecting democracy
Both the faculty and the university said that FvD should be allowed to participate in a debate at Utrecht University, a position the signatories deem “morally and politically reprehensible”. The letter says: "FvD is not a normal party but a fascist movement aimed at destroying democracy and the rule of law; a group that abuses parliament to propagate the theory of population replacement and advocate the deportation of groups they dislike; a club that uses anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and sexism as selling points; and an organisation that aims to discredit science." The signatories argue that UU is allowing Forum for Democracy to propagate these ideas at the university by allowing them to participate in the debate.

According to the authors, UU has failed to set boundaries and protect democracy in the Netherlands. As a university, it should have defended and reinforced its "institutional guardrails". They write: "Democracy exists by virtue of boundaries."

The authors are deeply disappointed in the faculty board. "The faculty board is currently failing to show moral leadership and is thus neglecting its duty. It is a betrayal of the university's ambitions and a betrayal of democracy. With a view to defending the rule of law and democracy, the faculty board and the Executive Board should ban any debate involving Baudet or other representatives of FvD on the premises of Utrecht University."

Response from the Executive Board
Rector Wilco Hazeleger responds in an email: "We believe that an election debate in which Thierry Baudet participates may take place within Utrecht University. After all, as a university, we are at the heart of society. That means not excluding anyone, but rather engaging in open dialogue and providing scientific interpretation. Debate may be controversial, especially on campus. We wouldn't be coherent with his attitude if we excluded a democratically elected politician in advance from a political debate in the run-up to the national elections."

According to the rector, the debate must ensure an "appropriate academic setting" by providing space for all perspectives. It must also be possible to ask critical questions about anti-constitutional or anti-scientific statements made by participants. He explains that this puts the university in the place "where it belongs in an open democratic system, where debate can be heated. It is our duty to investigate and interpret in a disciplined scientific manner within the limits of academic freedom. Our students, academic staff and others are free to point out that political parties have positions that run counter to scientific research or are harmful to an open democracy. Let us encourage this."