[rad-green] Letter to York University president Dr. Rhonda L. Lenton from Amnesty International

https://www.amnesty.ca/news/letter-york-university-president-dr-rhonda-l-lenton-amnesty-international

*Amnesty International          December 9, 2019*

Letter to York University president Dr. Rhonda L. Lenton from Amnesty
International


Letter to President Lenton from Amnesty International.pdf
<https://www.amnesty.ca/file/letter-president-lenton-amnesty-internationalpdf>
[image: PDF icon] Letter to President Lenton from Amnesty International.pdf
<https://www.amnesty.ca/sites/default/files/Letter%20to%20President%20Lenton%20from%20Amnesty%20International.pdf>

Rhonda L. Lenton, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor
York University
1050 Kaneff Tower, 4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario   M3J 1P3

By email:  [email protected]

December 8, 2019

Dear Dr. Lenton,

Amnesty International is writing this Open Letter to request that you
convene an independent review into all concerns associated with the
“*Reservists
on Duty: Hear from former Israeli Defence Force soldiers*” event, organized
by the Herut Zionism Club at York University on November 20, 2019.

As you know, this controversial event was met with protests which descended
into violent confrontations outside the venue. It was clearly foreseeable
that there would be controversy and protest, given the history of human
rights violations committed by Israeli Defence Force soldiers amidst the
illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories. That was exacerbated by
the fact that members of the Jewish Defense League, a far-right group
classified as a terrorist organization in the U.S. and with a record of
violence and assaults at protests, were allowed on campus.

Amnesty International has an active and dynamic student group at York
University that works on a range of campaigns, including our serious
concerns about widespread and longstanding human rights violations
associated with Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories.  The
group brings a positive voice for human rights to York, in keeping with the
university’s encouragement of student agency and leadership. They actively
defend and promote universal human rights protection for all people,
including the freedoms of speech, expression and assembly and the
obligation to condemn war crimes occurring anywhere in the world.

While Amnesty International at York had no official presence at the
protest, a number of our members chose to participate in an individual
capacity, as is clearly their right. We are very troubled to learn that
some members were physically assaulted during the confrontations that
occurred and have been receiving threatening messages on their cell phones.
They are now fearful when they are on campus and have taken to limiting
their movements, staying in groups, and ensuring that there are safe spaces
to study in security.

It is evident that the considerable confusion, tension and fear associated
with the November 20th event and its aftermath lingers. That is clear from
the number and nature of statements and resolutions that have been issued
by various student groups on campus. We have noted from your statement
<https://president.yorku.ca/files/2019/11/York-University-Denounces-Acts-of-Violence-at-Campus-Event.pdf>
on
November 21st that you have taken two steps in response, namely: (1)
tasking the Vice President of Equity, People and Culture and your Division
of Students to take the lead in developing a strategy for “fostering a more
productive dialogue around these issues”; and (2) the launch of an upcoming
Freedom of Speech Working Group to “make specific recommendations on how to
create a more respectful climate on campus for the discussion of difficult
topics.”

Given conflicting views about what happened that evening, the worrying
ongoing impact on students at York and the important human rights
considerations that are at stake, *Amnesty International urges York
University to go further and convene an independent review* of all
circumstances associated with the Herut Zionism Club event and its
aftermath, with a mandate that includes examination of:

   - considerations that were taken into account in approving the event,
   including the fact that the speakers were former members of a military with
   a clear record of responsibility for war crimes and other serious human
   rights violations;
   - decisions made with respect to the presence of members of the Jewish
   Defense League on campus;
   - measures put in place to uphold the freedoms of expression and
   assembly while ensuring public safety and the security of all protesters;
   - decisions and actions of security personnel and university officials
   as the protest proceeded and confrontations occurred;
   - the role of Toronto Police Service officers;
   - allegations of violence and other criminality perpetrated during the
   demonstration; and
   - measures taken to respond to ongoing concerns about threats and
   intimidation in the aftermath of the event.

The independent review should also make any appropriate recommendations
with respect to accountability, redress and reform. Amnesty International
urges the administration at York University to pursue this review with the
attention and seriousness it deserves, and to engage professionals and
experts to assist with this.

Amnesty International firmly supports and, in fact, encourages peaceful
debate on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict. It is our hope that this
review will provide insights into ensuring that such debate can and will
happen at York in a manner that respects and upholds the crucial human
rights concerns at stake and will be consistent with the university’s
commitment to inclusion and diversity.

We look forward to hearing from you Dr. Lenton with respect to the steps
you take to establish an independent review.  I can be reached directly via
my Executive Assistant Jina Rodas-Wright at [email protected] or by
telephone at 613 744 7667 extension 263.

Sincerely,

Alex Neve
Secretary General

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