La HEAD – Genève se reconnaît et s’inscrit pleinement dans la déclaration « Appel au cessez-le-feu en Palestine, en Israël et dans les régions voisines » publiée en octobre 2024 par ELIA, association européenne des écoles d’art et de design, dont elle est membre depuis 1992.
Elle souhaite la partager avec l’ensemble de son personnel, de ses étudiant-e-x-s et de ses partenaires et prend position contre l’antisémitisme, l’arabophobie, l’islamophobie ainsi que toutes formes de racisme et d’exclusion.
Cette prise de position spécifique sur Gaza et le Proche-Orient reflète des valeurs profondément humanistes, pacifiques et solidaires. D’autres conflits existent dans le monde qui appellent aussi notre engagement.
La HEAD – Genève s’intègre ainsi dans la tradition genevoise de promotion des droits humains et de la paix.
Ci-dessous la déclaration d’ELIA (European League of Institutes of the Arts) :
ELIA Reiterates Its Call for Cease-fire in Palestine, Israel and Neighbouring Regions
Monday 7 October 2024
In the past year the violent conflict in Palestine and Israel has caused tremendous suffering claiming over 40,000 lives1. We are now witnessing an escalation of military action involving other countries, in particular Lebanon and Iran. The humanitarian crisis and occupation in Gaza continues, and civilians based there and in neighbouring regions are increasingly affected by war, displacement and starvation.
In light of these circumstances, the ELIA Representative Board reiterates its urgent call for a cease-fire and peaceful resolution in the region. The Representative Board updates its statements dated 31 May 2024 and 5 December 2023 as follows:
ELIA condemns in the strongest terms all violations of human rights and international law reported in Palestine, Israel and neighbouring countries. We urge all actors involved to enact an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the neighbouring region. We call on the international political community including the European Commission and Council to use their diplomatic power to reinforce efforts towards a peaceful resolution, ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. ELIA advocates for the unequivocal protection of all civilians, and the release of civilians held hostage. We stand in solidarity with those affected and displaced by this conflict and humanitarian crisis.
ELIA is a firm advocate for education as a fundamental human right and cornerstone of society, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). The destruction of schools, universities and the mass displacement of people in Gaza is making access to education nearly impossible2. Thousands of students are affected, their safety, well-being and futures in jeopardy. As a leading international network in higher arts education and research, we demand, on behalf of the ELIA membership, that the right to education must be protected and the education infrastructure destroyed by this conflict must be restored as soon as possible.
We also acknowledge that the conflict is affecting higher education globally. Universities are experiencing protests and intensified public debate around campaigns for an academic boycott of Israel. We firmly believe that the voices of students and academics are vital. ELIA unequivocally supports the right to peaceful protest and to freedom of expression. We encourage constructive dialogue between protesters, institution representatives, and government agencies.
ELIA remains a steadfast advocate for freedom and peace. We believe that the values of international solidarity must be nurtured through exchange and collaboration between academics and educators across borders, and, most importantly, through a commitment to our shared humanity. We reiterate that ELIA stands against all forms of discrimination and racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.
We are committed to ensuring that our actions align with ELIA values in response to this rapidly escalating situation.
Endorsed by
The ELIA Representative Board
1Source: Reuters, 1 October 2024, link. This includes deaths in Gaza and Israel only. Related military actions are also causing loss of lives in neighbouring countries, in particular in Lebanon.
2Source: Unicef, 9 September 2024, link.
