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03.03.2026, Berlin

Grey zones, red lines: defending academic freedom in law and politics

Berlin
03.03.2026, 18:00 Uhr
European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)
Zossener Str. 55-58 (Aufgang D), 10961 Berlin

Launch of Report, 3rd March 2026, 6PM, ECCHR (Cafeteria) at Zossener Str. 58, 10961 Berlin

Academic freedom is under pressure worldwide as various illiberal forces seek to discredit, discipline and control research and education. In Germany, despite constitutional protection for academic freedom, scholars face unsettling grey zones when they express political opinions as political taboos (red lines) proliferate and shift.

In a joint project, the Department “Anthropology of Economic Experimentation” at Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle/Saale, Germany, the Department of Migration in a Global Perspective at the Berlin Institute for Migration and Integration Research at Humboldt University and ECCHR examine how the current pressure on academic institutions affects migrant scholars and students, the legal nature of repressive measures as well as legal  instruments available in order to defend their fundamental rights. 

The project

  • provides legal information to address migrant scholars’ and students’ real-life concerns related to academic freedom, freedom of speech and the right to free assembly on campus;
    • points out that residency and naturalization laws exacerbate the pressure on academic freedom for migrant scholars;
    • analyzes how certain legal developments in Germany restrict rather than defend academic freedom
    • formulates demands towards state actors and universities to protect academic freedom.

We invite everyone to join us for the launch of the report and discuss strategies forward.

On the occasion of Ramadan, we would like to cordially invite all participants to break their fast with us. Dates and dinner will be provided for Iftar. In addition, sanitary facilities for ablution and a prayer room for Maghrib and, if required, Isha are available on the first floor of our building.

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