Minister listens to Jewish students and plans to implement zero tolerance for harassment at universities

Disclaimer: This text was translated using machine translation / AI and post-edited by Maria Nielsen Pedersen

Danish universities and Minister of Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (M) are in the process of developing common guidelines for zero tolerance towards harassment and other forms of intimidating behaviour at Danish higher education institutions. 

Christina Egelund shared this on Tuesday during an open consultation in the Danish Parliament. She was responding to questions from Sandra Elisabeth Skalvig, the spokesperson for education from Liberal Alliance, regarding what the minister is doing to ensure the safety of Jewish students.

The consultation follows a series of pro-Palestinian actions at Roskilde University (RUC) that many have found unsettling and intimidating. Among other things, RUC's buildings have been vandalised with graffiti praising Hamas' deceased leader, Yahya Sinwar, and urging “Zionists to be afraid”. A Jewish student at RUC shared with Berlingske in November that these incidents made him feel so unsafe that he decided to withdraw from the university.  

During Tuesday’s consultation, Christina Egelund stated that the limit had been reached “a long time ago.” 

“When it comes to the point where a young Jewish student throws in the towel and withdraws from the university, the necessary sense of security has clearly been lacking. This is something we cannot ignore,” said Christina Egelund:

“In relation to the current situation at RUC, the latest information I have received is that they are working with the police to identify those responsible for the vandalism and harassing behaviour. My strong recommendation is to do everything possible to uncover who is behind these actions because ensuring safety depends on either removing or sanctioning those who create an unsafe environment,” stated the minister. 

Christina Egelund emphasised that while she does not impose sanctions herself, she believes that the vandalism at RUC should lead to expulsion if it is found to involve students or staff members. 

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

The Minister has held regular meetings with the Jewish Youth organisation since the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated with the terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October last year, she explained during the consultation. The recent meetings have led to Christina Egelund working with the universities to develop an anti-harassment policy. This decision follows the Jewish Youth organisation presenting a report to the ministry and the nation’s rectors, which, according to Jewish Youth, highlights “significant issues for a large group of students concerning physical unsafety, lack of apolitical study spaces, and social exclusion”. Omnibus was unable to gain access to the report prior to the publication of this article. 

“Jewish Youth has provided a number of concrete suggestions on how to improve the daily lives of Jewish students, and we are in the process of implementing them,” said Christina Egelund: 

“Jewish Youth calls for universities to have a clear anti-harassment policy. Therefore, together with the universities, I have initiated the development of common guidelines for zero tolerance towards harassment and other forms of intimidating behaviour at our educational institutions,” she added.

The minister described the actions at pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of Copenhagen and RUC as “far beyond acceptable”. 

“I believe it is fundamentally antisocial behaviour when someone thinks their opinions are so correct and important that they justify breaking the community's rules. It is antisocial and undemocratic,” she said. 

MINISTER: “UNIVERSITIES MUST ESTABLISH THEIR OWN VALUES FOR WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE”

Christina Egelund has shifted her stance on what is acceptable over the past year, she explained. She referred to the Jewish student who, in November of last year, encountered a swastika on the blackboard in a classroom at the Faculty of Law at UCPH. 

“Drawing a swastika is not illegal in Denmark. Does that mean it's automatically acceptable at the university? No, I don't think so. Over the past year, it has become clear that universities must establish their own values for what is acceptable and what will be tolerated within the university framework, even if it is not necessarily illegal in society. Today, I don't think anyone doubts whether it’s okay to draw a swastika at the university, even if it is legal outside,” said Christina Egelund, elaborating further:

“My initial stance was that if something isn't illegal, it should be okay to express it at the university. The university should be a place for freedom of thought, academic freedom, and free, informed debate. It should be, and it always has been. But when faced with reality – like a swastika – I suddenly think there’s a different standard. Managements must have an internal compass guiding them when confronted with such actions,” she said. 

CRITICAL QUESTIONERS: “WORRIED THAT THE MINISTER IS TAKING IT TOO LIGHTLY”

Among the questioners at Tuesday's consultation, which included Elisabeth Skalvig (LA), Lise Bertelsen from the Conservative People’s Party, Alex Ahrendtsen from the Danish People's Party, and Susie Jessen from the Denmark Democrats ed., there was a sentiment that the minister has not done enough to ensure safety at the country's universities. And that her responses during the consultation did not indicate that this would change in the future.

“I have no doubt that the minister takes the situation seriously. However, I am worried that the minister is taking it too lightly, and I question whether she is fully accepting her responsibility”, said Sandra Elisabeth Skalvig. She continued:

“The minister confirms that more can be done if the situation escalates further. But as I see it, the situation has already escalated quite a bit. So, when is enough enough? How many students – whether Jewish or not – have to drop out of university because they don't feel safe there?” asked Sandra Elisabeth Skalvig. 

During the consultation, Christina Egelund recognised that ultimately, it's the minister's responsibility to ensure the safety of university staff and students if the managements fail to do so. However, she also pointed out that as a minister, it's not something she can easily address on her own.

“I won’t pretend that you can just make a grand declaration and say: Enough is enough. We need to be specific in our approach, and that's why I emphasise the need for a clear anti-harassment policy. The management, and everyone at all levels of the universities, should not be in doubt about what is right or wrong. That's what's necessary,” said Christina Egelund.  

Alex Ahrendtsen believes the minister is “being cautious” and asked if she agrees that the incidents resemble “something from the 1930s, and therefore we need to take strong measures against it”. The minister reiterated that she considers the incidents antisocial and deeply serious, but “one must be careful with historical comparisons.”