“In this report, the Special Rapporteur proposes considering academic freedom as an autonomous human right grounded in several provisions of international law, which all researchers, educators and students are entitled to, at all levels of education, taking into consideration the developing capacities and maturity of students.

Academic freedom is at the heart of scientific progress, contributes to building knowledge as a public and a common good for the benefit of societies and democracy, and is a condition for the realization of the right to education at all levels. However, it is yet to be accepted as being as crucial as a free press or independent judiciary. It is under attack through direct and violent repression, as well as through more subtle methods, including funding and commodification, which result in or aim at controlling public opinion and introduce deeply worrying biases in academic research and free thinking.

Academic freedom has four interdependent pillars: the right to teach, to engage in discussions and debates inside (including in classrooms) and outside educational spaces, to conduct research, and to disseminate opinions and research results. It is the freedom to access, disseminate and produce information; to think freely; and develop, express, apply and engage with a diversity of knowledge within or related to one’s expertise or field of study. Its exercise carries special duties to seek truth and impart information according to ethical and professional standards, and to respond to contemporary problems and needs of all members of society. This requires understanding the vitality of free expression in teaching, to review the concept of “neutrality” in education, and to reconsider processes for accrediting school textbooks and materials and imposing or prohibiting specific subjects from curricula, having in mind the aims of education under international human rights law. 

The SR draws attention to the set of Principles for Implementing the Right to Academic Freedom (available versions in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese), drafted by a working group of United Nations experts, scholars, and civil society actors, based on and reflecting the status of international law and practice. She calls for the endorsement and implementation of these Principles.”

Methodology

To prepare this report, the Special Rapporteur held an experts’ consultation in October 2023 in Geneva, organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, followed by a series of online consultations to deepen understanding around specific dimensions of academic freedom. See the list of experts who have contributed to these consultations.

To collect views and experiences, a questionnaire was widely distributed.

Key questions and types of input sought

The Special Rapporteur is inviting input from States, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, national human rights institutions, academics, scientists, educators, as well as civil society organizations.

• Download the questionnaire:
  English (PDF, Word) | Français (PDF, Word) | Español (PDF, Word)