UU Council approves human rights framework, but wants university to review current ties

“On the one hand, we are very pleased with the introduction of this framework. On the other hand, some people still have fundamental objections to it,” said Amber Ipenburg, a student member from the Vuur party, in a University Council meeting held on 29 June.

The University Council finds it difficult to understand why Utrecht University (UU) is currently collaborating on research projects featuring partners with whom it no longer cooperates due to human rights violations. These break-ups were carried out in accordance with the External Collaboration and Human Rights Assessment Framework.

Nevertheless, the University Council supports the new framework and approved it unanimously, as it considers the document robust. The framework was originally due to be adopted in May, but its adoption was delayed because the University Council was still seeking external legal advice to evaluate it. 

The external advisers confirmed that the UU Council had the right of consent on this matter. The Executive Board had initially granted the council only the right to be consulted, but not the right of consent. This was amended following the external legal advice.

To collaborate or not to collaborate?
The university will begin using the new human rights framework in the autumn of 2026. The framework aims to clarify when UU should or should not collaborate with institutions located in countries involved in armed conflicts and/or where international and humanitarian law may be violated. DUB has answered five frequently asked questions about the new human rights framework.

The document was initially drawn up in response to the violence perpetrated by the Israeli government in Gaza. In May 2025, UU announced it was suspending new collaborations with Israeli institutions until the Temporary Human Rights Committee had developed a new framework. 

Although the new framework applies to all countries – not just Israel – Israeli universities are likely to have difficulty joining new joint projects with Utrecht University.

The University Council has reservations that Utrecht University is not using the new framework to assess existing collaborations. The Council is referring primarily to current collaborations with Israel. UU is still part of ten research projects involving Israeli institutions. This includes several Israeli universities.

Collaborations within consortia
Hermen Horzelenberg, a student representative from the Vuur party, is surprised that the Executive Board does not want to assess current research projects under its new standards. He acknowledges, however, that it is difficult for UU to terminate existing research projects.

Much of the research involving Israel takes place within a European framework, involving many different partners working together in a consortium. “We fully understand that this could lead to practical difficulties for the university, in terms of the feasibility of severing ties within consortia. However, I want to be proud of our university and rest assured that it is putting our ideals of human rights and justice into practice,” says Horzelenberg.

According to the student representative, it would be to UU's credit to admit that it is still bound by ties with Israel. “Not every collaboration with Israel will meet the new standards. I'm curious to see whether the Executive Board is prepared to acknowledge the contradiction we find ourselves in.”

Grey area
Rector Wilco Hazeleger admits that there “may be some discrepancy between something that started some time ago and what we are doing now. I understand that.” He does not see it as a contradiction, but rather "as a grey area that we need to discuss.”

The rector does not yet wish to comment on existing partnerships, as he intends to consult the deans on the matter first. The subject will then be discussed again with the University Council next academic year. However, the rector already believes that the framework is achieving its objective. “We're mostly talking about partnerships with Israel, but the framework applies to all countries. Nevertheless, I don’t see us entering into new projects with Israel without further ado. Such projects cannot go ahead without further scrutiny. In that respect, the framework is doing its job.”