Concerns have been raised by United Nations experts regarding the criminal prosecution of students involved in a protest at ETH Zurich against the university’s research collaborations with Israeli institutions. A cadre of UN Special Rapporteurs, including Francesca Albanese, voiced their disagreement with the decision to pursue criminal sanctions against the pro-Palestinian activists. Their argument is grounded in the belief that universities, especially publicly funded ones, bear a responsibility to uphold human rights and desist from supporting any unlawful activities or occupations, such as the Israeli control over occupied Palestinian territories (JURIST).
This issue gained prominence following a protest in May 2024 involving approximately 70 activists inside the university premises. Law enforcement intervened, leading to charges of trespassing against several students, and subsequently, 38 received penal orders. In October 2025, Zurich District Court delivered a mixed verdict, partially acquitting four while finding three guilty of trespassing.
The UN experts have pointed out the students’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, rights that should not incur criminal sanctions. This stance is supported by the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Switzerland is a signatory. The protests were specifically aimed at demanding transparency and the cessation of research tied to Israel’s military-industrial sectors (Times of Israel).
ETH Zurich maintains a neutral stance, with Vice President for Infrastructure and chief security officer Ulrich Weidmann emphasizing the institution’s commitment to political neutrality, asserting that the university’s role is not to engage in political activism. Despite this position, the UN experts argue that involvement in academic research with potential military applications can inadvertently contribute to international crimes.
The protests at ETH Zurich reflect a broader European trend, with similar demonstrations observed at institutions like the University of Amsterdam in 2024, prompting a temporary closure due to pro-Palestinian protests. Allegations against Israel include war crimes and crimes against humanity concerning its actions in Gaza. Discussions on European complicity in such international crimes persist, amplified by a UN panel’s 2025 finding of Israel’s involvement in genocide.