Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert

“We attach great importance to academic freedom and to open academic debate, even when views are controversial,”

Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

The university leaders addressed academic freedom in their statement about the disciplinary case.

“However, that freedom is not unlimited. It goes hand in hand with responsibility and may be restricted in order to protect the rights of others.”

Petra De Sutter and Herwig Reynaert · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

They explained that academic freedom must be balanced against protecting the rights of others.