Emotions inside the prestigious Parisian school. The Paris Administrative Court ordered Sciences-po Paris on Friday to allow a lecture by the MEP of La France insoumise, the Franco-Palestinian Rima Hassan, who was initially banned from the university. But the decision was quickly reversed by Sciences-po, which said it planned to appeal… And assured that there will be no conference this Friday.
“The summary judges of the Paris Administrative Court order Sciences-po Paris to allow the holding of this conference in conditions which guarantee its smooth conduct and which avoid the risk of disturbing public order,” the court wrote in a press release.
In response, Sciences-po assured, in a press release issued this afternoon, that “there will be no lecture by Rima Hassan at Science Po this Friday 22 November 2024”. “The judges note that at the date of their decision, the organizers had not taken any measures to monitor the progress of the conference. Therefore today it will not take place at 5pm as requested”, specifies the school management.
Furthermore, Sciences-po will “appeal” the court’s decision, the text continues. “In fact, even if the call to demonstrate in front of Sciences-po was launched a few minutes after the decision of the administrative court by the “Palestine committee” and the “Palestine emergency”, the risk of disturbing public order it seems obvious. Freedom of expression is fully guaranteed at Sciences-po, it cannot translate into the right to cause problems”, justifies the school.
Debates about possible unrest
This conference, entitled ”Humanitarian, legal and geopolitical perspectives on the arms embargo on Israel”, organized by the Students for Justice (SJP) association, was initially scheduled for Friday in the Parisian establishment, shaken in recent months by the controversies linked to pro-Palestinian student mobilisations, some of which led to police intervention. Last April, Rima Hassan herself went to the school to support the protesters.
Sciences-po director Luis Vassy, in office since September, did not authorize this conference due to the risk of violating public order. But in his decision, the judge of the summary proceedings held “that there is no circumstantial element to believe that this conference, whose topic is technical and for which the organizers have foreseen various ways of maintaining order, would encourage students to resort to illicit means” actions to express their beliefs”.
He also believes that “in the absence of a call for counter-demonstrations and in view of the progress of previous conferences on Palestine, the director of the IEP could, by resorting to other police measures, avoid possible clashes with people hostile to Rima Hassan.” It concluded “that by prohibiting the planned conference, the director of the Paris IEP has provoked a serious and manifestly illegal attack on the freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed to users of the public service of higher education” .
“Victory for freedom of expression”
“Great victory,” Rima Hassan reacted to X on Friday, after the court’s decision and before the school’s response press release was published. “We won in the administrative court against the decision of Sciences-po director Luis Vassy to ban my lecture! », the MEP rejoiced.
🚨🚨🚨 GREAT VICTORY we obtained before the administrative court against the decision of the director of @sciencespo @lvassy to ban my lecture! The judge finds the ban illegal.
1) results from the indication that on the occasion of conferences…— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) November 22, 2024
“The administrative court rejects Sciences-po who banned a conference by Rima Hassan”, said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the Insoumis. “After the UN intervened to ask for an end to the ban on speaking openly about the genocide in Gaza, we are also asking for it in our country ”he wrote. on the same social network. In mid-November, a United Nations special committee assessed that the methods of warfare used by Israel “meet the characteristics of a genocide.”
“The Paris IEP has orders to find a new date,” said Rima Hassan’s lawyer, Vincent Brengarth, always on Xhailing a “victory for freedom of expression”. For him, this announcement represents “confirmation that the decision taken was illegal”: “the administrative judge has ensured his role as guardian of freedoms at a time when expressions relating to Palestine are too often censored despite the extremely serious situation in Gaza”. he underlined.
“It’s a victory for the Sciences-po student initiative! », Marion Ogier, lawyer of the Human Rights League, also reacted the X network.
Other institutions have banned the holding of conferences by the 32-year-old lawyer, elected by the LFI to the European Parliament, such as the University of Lille, Paris Dauphine (cancellation ultimately prohibited) and this week Strasbourg. Rima Hassan also questioned the rector of the latter university, Michel Deneken, about that “any attempt at censorship will be appealed.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Claire Dubois, Political Science Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Dr. Dubois! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the recent controversy surrounding Rima Hassan’s planned lecture at Sciences-po Paris. It seems there’s a lot at stake regarding freedom of expression and public order. What’s your initial take on the situation?
Dr. Claire Dubois (CD): Thank you for having me. This is definitely a significant development. The court’s order to allow Hassan’s lecture highlights a critical tension in academic freedom versus concerns about public order. On one hand, it’s pivotal for institutions like Sciences-po to uphold freedom of expression, particularly on contentious issues. On the other hand, administrators must consider the potential for unrest, especially given the university’s recent experiences with protests related to pro-Palestinian support.
TNE: It’s interesting that Sciences-po initially banned the lecture, citing public order issues. They mentioned that the organizers had not taken measures to ensure a smooth conference. How does this reflect on the university’s responsibilities?
CD: The university has a dual responsibility—to protect the rights of its students and faculty while ensuring a safe environment. The decision to ban the event suggests that administrators were deeply concerned about the potential for disruption, especially since similar events have escalated in the past. However, by not allowing measures to be put in place for a safe discourse, they may have overstepped in curbing academic freedom. The judge’s ruling indicates that the event could have been handled without provoking disruption.
TNE: The court ruled in favor of Rima Hassan, emphasizing the importance of freedom of assembly and expression, and stated there were no substantial reasons to believe this event would lead to unrest. Do you think this sets a precedent for how similar cases might be handled in the future?
CD: Absolutely. The court’s decision encourages a legal precedent that prioritizes free expression, especially in academic contexts. It sends a strong message that banning speakers should not be taken lightly and that institutions must substantiate their concerns with concrete evidence rather than potential risks. This could lead to more robust defenses of free speech in higher education, even when topics spark contention.
TNE: From a political perspective, how might this incident influence the broader discourse around freedom of expression in France, particularly given the increasing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
CD: This situation could amplify discussions about how freedom of expression is navigated in times of heightened political tension. Advocacy groups and political figures, like Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s comments following the ruling, are likely to leverage this case to push for expanded rights to express dissenting views on international issues. It may prompt more public dialogue about the boundaries of academic discourse and encourage institutions to reconsider how they handle sensitive topics.
TNE: Rima Hassan called the court’s decision a “great victory” for freedom of expression. How might this impact her political standing and the actions of La France Insoumise going forward?
CD: Hassan’s victory could significantly bolster her profile alongside the party’s leftist platform. It positions her as a champion of free speech, which could resonate well with constituents who value open discourse on international human rights issues. La France Insoumise may use this momentum to rally support and gain traction on their platform regarding the Palestinian cause, rallying more students and young people around their political narrative.
TNE: In light of this unfolding situation, what would you suggest as best practices for academic institutions dealing with potentially controversial speakers?
CD: First and foremost, universities should emphasize proactive communication with event organizers about safety protocols and crowd management. Developing clear policies on free speech that balance expression with safety is crucial. Establishing frameworks for managing potentially volatile discussions—such as hosting moderated panels or providing support services—could facilitate healthier dialogues, rather than suppressing them outright. Education on the importance of civil discourse and conflict resolution should also be integral in academic settings.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Dubois. Your insights help clarify the implications of this unfolding drama. It’s certainly a topic we’ll continue to monitor.
CD: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how this develops.