Summary

OpenLeiden is a student movement working as a common platform for students and organizations within Leiden University. It started with the drafting of a petition against the overbearing security measures and was launched on the 12th of April 2024. Within the petition, students demand an end to current measures with a clear timeline of this process, maintaining public access to university buildings, rebuilding trust, and committing to transparency through dialogue with the university community. The petition was further promoted within a panel discussion on the securitization of Leiden University. It currently holds 806 signatures. OpenLeiden officially introduced itself as a student movement, during the General Assembly on the 8th of May 2024, presenting their goals, demands, petition and Instagram page. In the following months, the vision and demands of the movement have expanded. Growing reports of racial profiling, the presence of undercover security on campus, as well as police violence at student protests across the Netherlands have increased our determination to desecuritize our campus.

Manifesto

OpenLeiden, representing numerous Leiden University students, staff, and alumni, expresses deep concern over the university’s escalating security measures, particularly at The Hague campus. These actions compromise the role of our institution as a space for learning, education and community engagement.

THE MEMBERS OF OPEN LEIDEN HAVE OBSERVED:

Increased Surveillance: The imposition of strict LU-Card checks at The Hague campus has not only heightened feelings of insecurity but also fostered an atmosphere of fear and distrust, significantly constraining the social environment at the campus.

Lack of Transparency: The University has failed to provide clear justification for the implementation of these security measures, leaving us to rely on unreliable rumours and wild speculations.

Restricted Engagement: Enhanced administrative and security barriers impede the organisation of events and limit interactions with external scholars and civil society, undermining the exchange of ideas and the institution’s academic environment.

Racial Profiling: Students of colour have been disproportionately targeted by security measures, including heightened security during events organised by POC advocacy groups, unprovoked bag checks, and demands for personal IDs in addition to a LU-Card, turning the university into an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for minorities.

OPENLEIDEN DEMANDS: 

An Immediate End to the Presence of Undercover Security on Campus: The presence of undercover security on campus is unacceptable and fosters an environment of paranoia within the student body. Students should not have to feel like they are being spied on in their own campus.

An End to All Long-Term Contracts with External Security Companies: The structural presence of these companies has made students and staff of colour vulnerable to racial profiling, and denied students access to buildings. Employees of these companies have failed to take action when students report being harassed by their peers. External security has shown themselves to be insensitive to student’s safety. They should not be a part of campus life. 

Acknowledgement of Responsibility from the Executive Board (CvB): The privacy, safety, and freedom of staff have been disregarded in the name of ‘security’ with authorization from the CvB. Repeated statements by the CvB have damaged the reputation of students and staff by painting them as threats to their peers and the university community. We demand an apology from the CvB for the harm they caused, as well as an unequivocal condemnation of all incidents of racial profiling on campus. 

The Immediate Cessation of All Oppressive Security Protocols: Future security measures should have a clear justification, approval of the University Council, and timeline for their removal. 

Cops Off Campus: The presence of police poses a threat to the physical safety and mental well-being of students. Students of Leiden University have faced walls of riot police, been pushed off stairs, and, in some cases, even knocked unconscious. Students from other Dutch universities have been met with police dogs and unprovoked physical assault. We demand that the administration no longer give police permission to enter campus buildings. In situations where police legally cannot be denied access, staff members should remain present at all times to safeguard students from police violence.

An Open Leiden: OpenLeiden represents students, staff and alumni of Leiden University who are disturbed by the escalating security measures in our university. We reaffirm the notion that university spaces must remain an open and accessible space. Stand with us to safeguard the role of our institution as a centre for learning, dialogue, and community engagement. Together, we can make a difference.