Last update 6June 2025
NEWS
12/6/2025 About recent events on the VU campus
In the week prior to the clearance, the security triangle designated the protest camp as a demonstration area falling under the Dutch Public Assemblies Act (WOM). This means that the rules governing the right to protest apply, that the Mayor assumes authority over this part of the campus, and that consequences may follow if demonstrators fail to adhere to the imposed regulations. In the interest of everyone’s safety on campus, the authorities have regularly monitored the demonstration. Read the full post on the recent developments here.
11/6/2025 Disbanding tent camp
On Wednesday 11 June, the mayor of Amsterdam decided to disband the tent camp of students from the pro-Palestinian action group on the campus square. The mayor stated that the reason for disbanding is a suspicion of serious criminal offences, including a serious form of intimidation. We are shocked that such incidents have taken place on our campus.
We regret that we as a VU community have failed to protest peacefully and stay connected. Despite sometimes irreconcilable differences of opinion, we believe in open and respectful dialogue. At a university, we work towards a better world by exploring, critically questioning and exchanging perspectives and ideas in an open dialogue. A place where academic freedom is leading.
The Executive Board invites the students of the action group to continue the dialogue with us.
6/6/2025 Reports about expressions
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has received several reports from students and employees about expressions made by the pro-Palestinian action group consisting of VU students and employees who have set up a tent camp on the campus square. VU has addressed the action group about this.Part of the campus square has been designated as a demonstration area and thus the expressions fall under the right to demonstrate.
VU Amsterdam sees the right to demonstrate as a great right, but at the same time wants to make it known that as an inclusive university we emphatically distance ourselves from offensive and polarizing expressions being made.
4/6/2025 Tents on the campus square
On Tuesday, June 3, a number of students set up a tent camp on the campus square of VU Amsterdam as a (pro-Palestinian) protest. The municipality of Amsterdam classified the action as a demonstration and informed them accordingly. The Executive Board of VU Amsterdam is in dialogue with the students.
It is very important to VU Amsterdam that the safety of everyone on campus can be guaranteed. We are taking various precautions to guarantee safety and ensure that teaching and research activities can continue. These precautions are coordinated based on the current risk picture.
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PREVIOUSLY SHARED OPEN LETTERS FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Here you can read the open letter of May 26 2025 to students and staff about the latest developments at VU Amsterdam from the Executive Board, the Deans, and the Directors of Divisions.
Previous open letters: 5 June 2024, 7 May 2024 and 11 May 2024
FRAMEWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
The Executive Board of VU Amsterdam has appointed a committee to develop a framework for international collaborations. The framework will apply to existing collaborations, anywhere in the world. It will be based on our own values and international standards, including human rights.
HELP AND SUPPORT
Do you have questions or concerns, or do you need help or advice? There are several places at the VU where you can go. Dialogue and debate centre 3D and NEWconnective are committed to providing support and assistance to students regarding the student protests by organising discussions, holding moments of silence, and facilitating support groups. For more information, contact 3D and NEWconnective. Consult this page for staff and students for more information about the support that VU Amsterdam centrally offers.