Statement of Solidarity with Bangladeshi Students

As the Executive Committee of the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union, we stand in solidarity with the students of Bangladesh fighting for their rights and future.

We are deeply concerned by the escalating violence against peaceful student protesters in Bangladesh following their government’s reinstatement of a discriminatory quota system for government jobs. The reported deaths of at least nineteen individuals and injuries to hundreds more are a stark reminder of the high stakes of this struggle [1],[2].

We strongly condemn the use of excessive force against students, including the deployment of military forces and tanks on university campuses. The imposed internet blackout and curfews further infringes on students’ rights to communicate and organize. These actions violate human rights and democratic principles, severely disrupting education and daily lives [3],[4].

As fellow students, we understand the critical importance of merit-based systems and equal opportunities in shaping one’s future. The fight against a quota system that potentially favors political allegiances over merit resonates with our own values of fairness and equality in education and employment.

To our Bangladeshi peers: Your courage in the face of adversity is inspiring. Your fight for justice and equality echoes far beyond your borders. We stand with you in your pursuit of a fair and equitable future.

We urge the Canadian government and international bodies to express their support for the students of Bangladesh and to use diplomatic channels to encourage a peaceful resolution to this crisis.

To our local community: We ask you to support Bangladeshi students and communities in whatever way you can during this challenging time. Your solidarity can make a significant difference in their lives as they grapple with concerns for their families and friends back home. We call on our community members to take action by contacting their legislators to condemn the violence in Bangladesh and by participating in protests at Bangladeshi embassies or consulates. Consider raising awareness on social media and supporting local Bangladeshi student organizations.

To UTGSU members impacted by this crisis: We genuinely want to be a source of support for you. If you are facing academic challenges, student life issues, or personal struggles related to this situation, please know that you are not alone. We are here to listen, support, and advocate for you. Reach out to us without hesitation at info@utgsu.ca. We welcome your suggestions on how we can better serve you.

Resources for affected students:

The UTGSU remains committed to advocating for student rights globally. We believe in the power of collective action and the resilience of student movements. Together, we can work towards a world where education and opportunity are accessible to all, regardless of background or political affiliation.

In solidarity,
Executive Committee
University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union

For reference:
[1] Explainer: Why are Bangladesh students protesting against job quotas?
[2] 19 more die in Bangladesh clashes as student protesters try to impose a ‘complete shutdown’
[3] Bangladesh to impose curfew, deploy army as protests widen, communications disrupted
[4] Internet shutdowns: UN report details �dramatic� impact on people�s lives and human rights

Open-Letter to President Gertler and Vice Provost Students Welsh: Encampments at UofT

To President Gertler, Vice Provost Welsh, and the University of Toronto administration, We, the undersigned, are deeply disappointed by the university’s curtailment of peaceful protests and freedom of expression.

The University of Toronto’s (UofT) Code of Student Conduct, Statement on Freedom of Speech, and Statement of Institutional Purpose affirm the students’ rights to “radical, critical teaching and research.”[1] The University also claims to be a “custodian of this most precious and vulnerable right of the liberated human spirit.”[2] However, the sudden installation of fences around King’s College Circle starkly contradicts this commitment. As the UofT Faculty Association articulated in their statement, the “[a]dministration’s novel invocation of its ‘property rights’ and ‘trespass’”[3] misrepresents existing university policies, thereby manipulating which protests are authorized. Further, the circulation of a cautionary email against peaceful protests on April 28 is a clear attempt at intimidating and suppressing students’ right to freedom of speech.

Let us be clear. We demand the protection of students’ right to express themselves without fear and in accordance with the university’s stated principles to “allow the fullest range of debate,” and not to “limit that debate by preordaining conclusions, or punishing or inhibiting the reasonable exercise of free speech”.[4]

Over the past 200+ days, the State of Israel has perpetrated war crimes[5] against Gazans, including indiscriminate bombings of refugee camps[6], targeting civilians waving white flags[7], and destroying vital infrastructure[8] like hospitals, bakeries, water wells, and universities. The International Court of Justice states it is plausible that Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians[9]. As an institution that claims to have a high standard of morality and commitment to human rights, it is not appropriate to financially invest in an apartheid state that consistently ignores international law. The university’s deliberate concealment of financial holdings to evade accountability is unacceptable and contradicts the objectives of the UofT Asset Management Corporation (UTAM)[10]. We refuse to finance an apartheid state whose actions result in the deaths of innocent civilians, including our own families abroad.

We echo the students’ calls on the university administration to:

There is precedent for UofT to divest from causes it sees as unjust, such as its divestment from South African apartheid[11] and, more recently, from fossil fuels[12]. In fact, peaceful student protests have served as the backbone of positive social change. UofT students have organized against the war in Vietnam, apartheid in South Africa, and Canada’s involvement in the Iraq War.

Students mobilized in 2022 to pass the UTSU Divestment Motion, and we will continue to advocate against the Israeli apartheid[13]. Until then, we, the undersigned, will continue to support and defend members who exercise their rights to peacefully and lawfully assemble and protest.

Current Signatories as of May 6, 2024:

References:

[1] University of Toronto Statement of Institutional Purpose | The Office of the Governing Council, Secretariat (utoronto.ca)
[2] University of Toronto Statement of Institutional Purpose | The Office of the Governing Council, Secretariat (utoronto.ca)
[3] Page 1 of 4 April 30, 2024 Dear President Gertler, We are writing to express our deep concerns with a letter that Professor San
[4] Freedom of Speech, Statement on [May 28, 1992] | The Office of the Governing Council, Secretariat (utoronto.ca)
[5] Damning evidence of war crimes as Israeli attacks wipe out entire families in Gaza – Amnesty International
[6] At least 70 killed in Israeli strike on refugee camp in central Gaza, health ministry says
[7] Israel: Investigate ‘White Flag’ Shootings of Gaza Civilians | Human Rights Watch
[8] Gaza: Destroying civilian housing and infrastructure is an international crime, warns UN expert | OHCHR
[9] Order of 26 January 2024 | International Court of Justice
[10] “Vision, Mission & Values.”
[11] University of Toronto Bulletin, vol. 41 iss. 11 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
[12] University of Toronto Divesting $4 Billion Endowment from Fossil Fuel Investments, Commits to Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050 – UTAM (utoronto.ca)
[13] Congratulations to The University of Toronto Students’ Union on Divestment Motion Victory! – Canadian BDS Coalition

Statement on Freedom of Assembly and Peaceful Protests

As the Executive Committee of the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union, we assert our unwavering support for the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression. These rights are essential for a vibrant exchange of ideas and the development of a robust democratic society.

Our university has historically been a place of learning where the pursuit of truth and the advancement of knowledge are paramount. Yet, the University of Toronto’s response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza has been disappointingly passive and non-committal. For years, student activism at our university has been informed, persistent, and deeply rooted in research [1], advocating against the long-standing injustices faced by Palestinians. Despite this, the university has consistently avoided taking any substantive action on divesting from companies associated with arms and violations of human rights or severing ties with complicit Israeli academic institutions, often citing a policy of neutrality on political issues – despite a history of divestment from South African apartheid (1990) [2] and fossil fuels (2021) [3] which was driven via student action.

This reluctance stands in stark contrast to the active involvement of our students in peaceful lobbying, protests and encampments, most recently observed at King’s College Circle. These actions reflect a growing dissatisfaction among students with the university’s stance on the ongoing genocide in Palestine, echoing sentiments seen across North America. The portrayal of these protests in the media has often been skewed, framing them as violent or unreasonable, which is not only misleading but also diminishes the validity of the students’ concerns.

The University of Toronto’s Statement on Freedom of Speech [4] underscores the commitment to ensuring that all community members can freely engage in dialogue without fear of censorship or retaliation. This includes the right to organize, debate, and express dissent—activities that are crucial for fostering academic freedom and societal advancement. Direct democracy, including pickets, encampments and sit-ins, have been a vital component to express such dissent.

In these tense times, it is crucial to affirm unequivocally that our support and solidarity extends to all members of our community. Our advocacy for peaceful protest is rooted in a commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect, guiding us through disagreements and political discourse. We urge the University of Toronto Administration to engage peacefully and constructively with the encamped students, especially in the context of the many anti-war student movements of the
past.

We oppose any restrictions that unjustly limit peaceful protests. The encampments at our university are a manifestation of the social engagement and progressive action the University encourages in its education, and should not be viewed as disruptions but as integral to the scholarly values of our institution.

Supporting peaceful student activism is crucial to preserving the integrity and vitality of our academic environment. As members of a diverse and global academic community, we are dedicated to defending these principles and fostering a campus that embraces open dialogue and upholds human rights.

We invite all members of the University of Toronto community to join us in affirming these rights, ensuring our campus remains a beacon of free thought, respectful dialogue, and progressive change.

Sincerely,
Executive Committee
University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union

For reference:
University of Toronto Faculty Association Statement, April 30, 2024

[1] UTGSU BDS Committee, “The Case for Divestment from Companies Benefitting from Violations of International Law and Human Rights Abuses in the Occupied Palestinian Territories” (September 2014). https://www.uoftdivest.com/the-brief.html
[2] Alison Roseberry-Polier, “University of Toronto students win divestment from apartheid South Africa, 1984-1990” (February 2011). https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/university-toronto-students-win-divestment-apartheid-south-africa-1984-1990
[3] Rahul Kalvapalle, U of T to divest from fossil fuel investments, create climate-positive campus (October 2011). https://www.utoronto.ca/news/u-t-divest-fossil-fuel-investments-create-climate-positive-campus
[4]: University of Toronto Governing Council, “Statement on Freedom of Speech” (May 1992). https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/system/files/2020-03/Freedom%20of%20Speech%2C%20Statement%20on%20Protection%20of%20.pdf

UTGSU’s Endorsement of CUPE3902’s Strike Mandate Vote

The University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) would like to inform our members that CUPE3902 has reached out to Unit 1 graduate students with detailed instructions on participating in the 2024 Strike Mandate Vote. This vote is of utmost importance to our community, as a resounding “Yes” will provide CUPE3902’s Bargaining Committee with the necessary resources and leverage to achieve the best possible bargaining outcomes. This endeavor not only directly benefits Unit 1 graduate student members by advocating for fairer compensation and improved working conditions but also strengthens the UTGSU and our newly established Base Funding Committee in our pursuit of enhanced funding and support for all graduate students.

We strongly urge those who have received communication from CUPE3902 to actively participate in the voting process. Your vote plays a crucial role in shaping a more equitable future for our academic community. By standing in solidarity with CUPE3902 and endorsing the strike mandate, we collectively enhance our ability to negotiate for the resources and conditions essential to our success and well-being as graduate students. Given that a significant portion of many graduate students’ funding is directly tied to Unit 1 positions, your “Yes” vote not only symbolizes solidarity but also represents a vital step towards securing our financial stability and academic achievement. Let us unite to effect meaningful change and advance our shared objectives for a fairer, more supportive academic environment.

In solidarity,
UTGSU Executive