15.07.2025

Statement from Saarland University leadership regarding a student-organized event held on 9 July

On 9 July 2025, a number of student groups hosted an event intended to discuss reports by Amnesty International concerning the Middle East conflict. The title of the event included language drawn directly from the Amnesty International publications. As part of the university's framework of student self-governance — a cornerstone of the German higher education system — student groups enjoy considerable autonomy.

However, this autonomy must be exercised within the bounds of our shared values and any applicable laws and regulations. As a higher research and education institution and a place for informed academic discourse, Saarland University is committed to facilitating and encouraging  objective, informed debate.

The event on 9 July was organized by a variety of student groups under the provisions pertaining to student self-governance. It was held in the community room that is located in the Campus Center and administered by Saarland University ‘s General Student Committee (AStA). As a result, university management was not initially involved in the planning of the event. Management was made aware of the event less than one week before it was scheduled to take place. 

Upon review, the University Board found the wording used in the published invitation to be unacceptable. There were also serious concerns about whether the event would provide and maintain an appropriate forum for discussion, particularly in light of the sensitive and polarizing nature of the subject matter. University leadership reached out to the SDS student group to discuss these reservations. In a detailed email sent on the afternoon of Monday, 7 July 2025, President Santen informed SDS representatives that the event could only go forward if certain conditions were met. These conditions were designed to ensure objective, respectful discourse, while also preventing antisemitic or otherwise discriminatory statements.

Among the stipulations was the requirement for an  expert moderator who would oversee the event. Roland Rixecker, Honorary Professor of Public and Private Law at the Faculty of Law, kindly agreed to moderate the event at the request of University President Santen. Professor Rixecker made clear that he was participating in his capacity as a member of the Faculty of Law and as President of the Constitutional Court of Saarland.

After a lengthy telephone conversation with SDS representatives on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, the group agreed to the proposed conditions and confirmed that Professor Rixecker would act as moderator. 

During the call, University President Ludger Santen reiterated that Saarland University remains committed to fostering informed, academic discussion on the Middle East conflict, and that the university has facilitated such dialogue through  initiatives such as the lecture and discussion series ‘Der Nahost-Konflikt – Projektionen, Reflexionen, Transformationen’ (‘The Middle East Conflict – Projections, Reflections, Transformations’). Professor Santen also conveyed the university’s deep sympathy for all victims affected by the ongoing conflict, acknowledging the suffering of both Israeli and Palestinian individuals in the wake of the Hamas terror attacks: ‘Many of our Jewish and Palestinian students and staff are experiencing grief, anxiety and concern for family members in the region. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected.’ He went on to affirm the university’s role as a shared space for people of diverse ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds, united in their pursuit of learning, research and collaboration. Santen emphasized that every member of the university community—including students, staff, affiliates and guests—shares responsibility to uphold these values and to engage with others in a spirit of mutual respect. 

In his opening remarks, Professor Rixecker noted that he did not agree with the wording used in the event’s promotional materials. As moderator, he made clear that his role was to facilitate discussion without injecting his personal views.

Roland Rixecker helped to ensure that the event provided substantial space for criticism of Amnesty International’s reports and of the accusations levelled against Israel. Ultimately, the event contributed to a peaceful, open and respectful exchange of views that aligned with the spirit of the resolution passed by the 39th General Assembly of the German Rectors' Conference.