Update – Motion in Defense of Palestine
On Thursday October 31st at the Fall General Membership Meeting CUASA members passed a “Motion in Defense of Palestinian Human Rights and International Law” with a vote of 128 for, 65 against, and 1 abstention.
CUASA’s Executive, responsible for implementing the policies of the Association, is working towards enacting the resolutions of the motion.
Members of the Executive have:
- Made public its “call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”.
- Reaffirmed CUASA’s support of “faculty’s and staff’s rights to assemble and protest peacefully on campus without disruption, surveillance, reprisal or violence from police, security, or other quarters” in several aspects of our work including in relations with students associations, discussions with Carleton’s Office of Risk Management and through representatives at Carleton’s Joint Health and Safety Committee.
- Begun the work of reviewing, disclosing, and divesting CUASA investments “from corporations directly enabling Israeli war crimes, breaches of international law, and human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories”.
- Engaged in preparations, with the support colleagues in Economics and Legal Studies, of the calls for review, disclosure, and divestment, to the Carleton Pension Fund, the Carleton endowed and non-endowed funds.
- Sought a legal opinion about the scope of a possible suspension, by Carleton University, of “its involvement with Israeli academic institutions that participate in orsupport the occupation of Palestinian territories.”
The topic of the motion, as well as the processes of the Union, brought some questions from the membership over the past few months. CUASA meetings and deliberations, including general meetings, are governed by the most current Robert’s Rules of Order, except where otherwise specified in CUASA Constitution or Bylaws (Bylaw 21). The passing of the motion also raised questions amongst some members about the security of their academic freedom. The academic freedom of CUASA members includes the freedom to discuss topics of public interest or concern (provided they do not speak on behalf of the university unless specifically authorized to do so) and is protected by the Collective Agreement (Article 4, Article 10.1, and Article 15.7). These freedoms are also included in Carleton University’s Human Rights Policies and Procedures (4.1 and 4.2). In February of 2024 CUASA’s Council passed “CUASA Guidelines on Academic Freedom” to aid CUASA members in understanding their rights when discussing geopolitical issues such as the current Israel-Palestine crisis.
On November 26th CUASA’s position on academic freedom was affirmed in a motion carried unanimously at the 91st Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)* Council Meeting which reads in part “CAUT supports the academic freedom of its members and recognizes the need to safeguard the rights of scholars to develop critical perspectives on all states, including the state of Israel, without fear of outside political influence, cuts to funding, censorship, harassment, threats, and intimidation.”
Members who have further questions about the governance and processes of CUASA should bring them to their Council Representative or email CUASA’s Member Services and Communications Officer.
*CAUT is a federation of independent associations and trade unions representing over 70,000 academic workers at 125 universities and colleges across Canada.
Resources Relevant to the Motion in Defense of Palestinian Human Rights and International Law
Canadian Association of University Teachers Says No to Academic Censorship on Palestine– Independent Jewish Voices – November 26, 2021
CUASA passes divestment motion, puts pressure on Carleton administration – the Charlatan – December 4, 2024
The Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel as a Defense of Academic Freedom – Academe Blog – August 20, 2024
