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Dear Professor Mukherjee, dear Vice Rectors, 

The world seems more uncertain than ever. Numerous developments are causing insecurity and concern. Among them is the ongoing violence in the Middle East, whose effects are already felt globally and which holds the potential to escalate further, dragging all parties deeper into a spiral of violence.

The continuous bombardment and blockade of Gaza by the Israeli army for over a year has created a catastrophic humanitarian situation for its 2.5 million residents. For almost three months, Israel has blocked the entry of food, water, electricity, and aid supplies, and has recently announced plans to permanently occupy Gaza while displacing the Palestinian population. The city of Rafah, which once sheltered 1.5 million Palestinian refugees, has been completely destroyed. Since October 2023, over 15,600 children have been killed—a whole generation has been traumatized. As of this year, Gaza has the world’s largest population of child amputees and is experiencing the greatest orphan crisis in history. Numerous reports by the United Nations and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International condemn the collective punishment and deliberate starvation of the Palestinian civilian population. 

Around the world, people are rising up in protest against this intolerable situation. Voices are being raised in solidarity with the people of Palestine and in support of a just peace. In Germany too, resistance is growing. Many young people are appalled that the German government continues to offer unconditional support for Israeli actions, and that public institutions, media, and universities refuse to denounce the situation in Gaza or advocate for an end to the violence. As is so often the case, students have been at the forefront of this protest movement. In light of the destruction of all universities in Gaza and ongoing German inaction and military support, many students in Germany are left in disbelief.  

This includes the University of Cologne, which has become the site of numerous rallies and actions. In the summer of 2024, a group of activists and students from various universities decided to symbolically block the entrance to the main building. Their demands: the long-overdue discussion in Germany about proportionality and humanity in Gaza, an open dialogue, recognition of Palestinian suffering, a critical reflection on partnerships with Israeli institutions linked to the Israeli military, and the reversal of the disinvitation of Jewish scholar Nancy Fraser. 

However, such a dialogue never materialized, as the university leadership sought to exclude the public from the conversation.Police were called in to break up the blockade. Now, eleven of the protesters face criminal proceedings for alleged coercion and trespassing, for which the university filed criminal complaints.

We deeply regret that things had to reach this point. In an increasingly polarized society, spaces for discussion and free expression of political views are essential. That protesters now face trial as a result of a university-initiated complaint undermines the cohesion of university life. Furthermore, heavy fines are looming; political engagement is being harshly punished.  

In this context, it is crucial to highlight the role of student protest and civil disobedience. Historically, students have often taken to the streets against injustice and oppression — such as the student movements opposing the wars in Vietnam or Iraq. Universities have been and continue to be venues for political conflict, and protest inevitably disrupts academic life. Resistance, in whatever form, will always stir emotions — indeed, it must do so in order to be effective and meaningful. Protest plays a social role; it addresses not only political and governmental leaders but also one's immediate environment. It is not only an appeal but also a communicative act.

It is understandable that these efforts become more urgent as space for free discussion shrinks. Particularly on the issue of German support for Israel's war in Gaza and the repression of critical voices, there is widespread silence in public discourse, academia, and at the University of Cologne. The perspectives of Palestinian people are rarely, if ever, reflected in national media and public statements. 

That students want to draw our attention to the suffering in Palestine is both understandable and legitimate. We vividly remember the education protests of the 2000s, during which lecture halls were occupied and student protest at the university became vocal.  

Is the university not a place for critical thinking and action? A place where open discourse can take place without being met with ignorance and repression? We emphasize the importance of critical teaching and scholarship — especially in the context of a resurgent far-right and intensifying global conflicts.  

For these reasons, we appeal to the responsible parties at the University of Cologne: 

Withdraw the criminal complaints! Trespassing is a private prosecution offense (Antragsdelikt) and is only pursued if the aggrieved party (in this case, the university) initiates it with a complaint. These complaints can be withdrawn at any time before the conclusion of the legal proceedings. If withdrawn, the charge of trespassing would necessarily be dropped from the case, leaving only the charge of coercion, which is prosecuted ex officio. In previous proceedings, the court rejected the charge of coercion because it does not apply to the protest action of July 4, as access to and from the main building remained possible via other entrances. It is highly likely that the court will reach the same conclusion in further proceedings, making trespassing the only likely conviction. The university can prevent this by withdrawing the complaints.

It is in your hands! Withdraw the criminal complaints. 

Acknowledge the offer of dialogue. Open yourselves to critical discourse. Let us grow stronger together through debate.