Post by Stefan Halikowski Smith

'The European Court of Human Rights has also recognised that academic expression comprises freedom for academics to express themselves openly about the institution or system in which they work without restriction' (Sorguc v Turkey no. 20233/06 47 53 J). In its Recommendation 1762 (2006), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted the following declaration for the protection of academic freedom of expression: “... 4. In accordance with the Magna Charta Universitatum, the Assembly reaffirms the right to academic freedom and university autonomy which comprises the following principles: 4.1. academic freedom in research and in training should guarantee freedom of expression and of action, freedom to disseminate information and freedom to conduct research and distribute knowledge and truth without restriction;... 4.3. history has proven that violations of academic freedom and university autonomy have always resulted in intellectual relapse, and consequently in social and economic stagnation;...”