As students and the academic community continue to protest on university campuses across the country, we salute their courage and we always defend that universities should be a safe space embracing freedom, diversity and a commitment to the principles of human rights. 

We call on the international community to always condemn the brutality and aggression of governmental forces against protesters expressing aspirations towards freedom, gender equality and the respect of the voice of youth. 

Discrimination against women in higher education and beyond should be put to an end. In particular, universities should not bar women from certain academic fields and should provide the same study conditions for all, irrespective of their gender. 

The CIVICA alliance and its ten member universities are committed to promoting the role of universities in the defence of freedom, including equal access to higher education regardless of gender, origin, religion, or sexual orientation. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as academic freedom are at the heart of our academic and societal mission. CIVICA will continue to act as a platform dedicated to fostering respectful dialogue and will pursue its relentless commitment to the values of justice, tolerance and solidarity. 

This statement is issued on behalf of nine member universities of the CIVICA alliance: Bocconi University, Central European University, European University Institute, Hertie School, IE University, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Sciences Po, SGH Warsaw School of Economics and Stockholm School of Economics.