Cambridge University’s repressive action on pro-Palestinian protests is a draconian abuse of students’ civil liberties
UPDATE, 3rd March 2025: High Court rejects bid by the University of Cambridge for a long-term injunction on Palestine protests
26th February 2025- ICJP is appalled by the University of Cambridge’s draconian efforts to undermine their students’ civil liberties, by applying for a High Court injunction that would effectively ban pro-Palestinian student protests until 2030. It is a truly unprecedented move that is set to be the broadest injunction on protest at universities to date.
The injunction seeks to ban students from entering or occupying a number of areas at Cambridge University, including The Old Schools/Senate House Site and Greenwich House, or on the street outside. In effect, this would prevent student encampments from operating at the university, undermining their right to protest, by attacking the core tactic employed by the students.
Not only is this an assault on fundamental civil liberties including freedom of expression, but it also demonstrates how out of touch the university is, by targeting a student-led campaign that has wide support amongst both students and staff, and whose aims are to campaign for the University to divest from companies and institutions complicit in war crimes, crimes against humanity and other violations of international law against the Palestinian people.
The claim will be heard at the High Court of Justice this Thursday, 27th February 2025. The injunction seeks to impose widespread measures, on ‘persons unknown’, either ‘in connection with Cambridge For Palestine’ (a key pro-Palestinian student group associated with encampments) or ‘persons unknown otherwise for a purpose connected with the Palestine-Israel conflict.’ This could have widespread implications on other civil society organisations including trade unions that seek to protest for divestment.
ICJP previously worked on a campaign to pressure Trinity College Cambridge to divest from arms companies, following a February 2024 Freedom of Information request that revealed the extent of their complicity. ICJP issued a legal notice to the College and to the Charity Commission for failing to take legal action against the College. Trinity eventually voted to divest in May 2024, but backtracked in November 2024.
ICJP Senior Public Affairs Officer Jonathan Purcell said:
“Ultimately, these students are simply asking the University to ensure that their investments and partnerships aren’t contributing to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and the West Bank, demolitions of Palestinians’ homes, and other human rights violations — surely the bare minimum for an educational institution.
It’s hard to know what people want the students to do. If peaceful protest is banned too, how are students supposed to have their voices heard? Universities are supposed to foster freedom of thought, and yet Cambridge University is seeking to create a monolithic climate void of any dissenting opinion.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians, and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
2. For more information, or to arrange an interview with an ICJP spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at press@icjpalestine.com.