University of Queensland comes to agreement with protesters, encampments to be discontinued

The University of Queensland has struck a deal with Muslim Students for Palestine activists which will see encampments on campus torn down.

Encampments at the University of Queensland.

Encampments at the University of Queensland are to be discontinued after the institution reached an agreement with UQ Muslim Students for Palestine on Saturday.

In a statement, the university outlined its commitments and has agreed to publish a statement on its approach to sensitive research and, where possible, a list of its holdings and research in agreed areas as part of UQ’s annual disclosures.

It will also host a dedicated speaker series which will “inform the development of a university-wide Anti-racism Commitment”.

In addition, UQ will double its refugee and humanitarian scholarships, focusing on students from Gaza. Support will be increased for academics impacted by humanitarian crises through the global Scholars at Risk network membership.

UQ Muslim Students for Palestine agreed to discontinue their participation in the encampment from Saturday but stressed the disclosure agreement was not a “cause for celebration”, and should be the start of a divestment discussion.

The activist group issued a statement on the agreement on Saturday afternoon.

“Bombs are currently being dropped on Rafah, defying international court rulings. Only divestment from the companies facilitating genocide and other crimes will deter the state of Israel,” the statement read.

“We reject complicity in the genocide of 36,000 Palestinians, including 15,000 children.

“UQ’s commitments are conditioned upon vacating the encampment today and ensuring no disruptive protests during exams and graduation ceremonies. The UQ Muslim Students for Palestine agrees to these terms while maintaining our rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

“Retaliatory actions against peaceful protesters would contradict UQ’s principles of political expression and academic freedom.

“Disclosure first, you know what’s next. UQ must divest. We will not stop; we will not rest!”

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said she is hopeful the work committed to undertake will help to rebuild unity among staff and students.

“I know that the past few weeks have been difficult and divisive for many of our staff and students,” she said.

“I want to sincerely thank the representatives from the UQ Muslim Students for Palestine, Camp Shalom and University of Queensland Union for sharing their valuable perspectives over the past few weeks.

“Their contributions have played a significant role in helping us progress towards an end to the encampments.

“I look forward to continuing our work with these groups to ensure that our diverse community feels welcome, respected and safe.”

Students for Palestine UQ organiser Ella Gutteridge said the disclosure does “nothing to change UQ’s links to these corporations structurally”.

“We want to state very clearly, for the benefit of our members and supporters, that Students for Palestine did not endorse this deal or sign it,” Ms Gutteridge said.

“We don’t think the university should be working with or supporting arms companies in any way. If the university actually wants to provide ‘transparency’ and help desperate people from Gaza, they should do so.

“We will not sign any agreement which limits our ability to protest, especially not when the university continues to accept millions from weapons companies and the Pentagon.

Ms Gutteridge said Students for Palestine UQ recognised the university’s commitment to doubling refugee and humanitarian scholarships as a “step forward”.

“We acknowledge that it is our encampment and the broader student Palestine movement that has forced the university to make this proposal,” Ms Gutteridge said.

“However, we do not believe disclosure should be celebrated as a victory. Disclosure does nothing to structurally change UQ’s links to these corporations, nor does it stop UQ’s complicity in the genocide taking place in Gaza.”

Ms Gutteridge said Students for Palestine UQ will also be removing their encampment.

On Wednesday, 1500 students reportedly attended a Student General Meeting which conducted a formal vote on whether UQ should divest from its partnership with Boeing over the company’s alleged ties with Israel.

The university said they will continue to engage with the protesters that remain, with “a focus on ensuring that student assessments and exams are not disrupted over the coming 2 weeks”.