Students condemn the Weltwoche
The Sociology Department and the Student Council (Stura) at the University of Zurich condemn the attacks on several professors at various Swiss universities. Last Thursday’s edition of *Die Weltwoche* had accused them of heresy and warned against them.
The Stura is "disconcerted" that professors are being pilloried and that "in two sentences their life's work is declared null and void," according to the statement published on Monday. A discussion about the "difficult balancing act between personal attitude and neutral research" is to be welcomed. But it is not acceptable to mix politics, personality and science "into a nasty brew".
In an open letter, the Sociology Association recalls that freedom of science and research is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and in the UN Human Rights Covenant of 1966 as an independent fundamental and human right, and this "for good reason". He added that the professional association is also turning to the Swiss Press Council in this matter. Both bodies encourage students to continue attending lectures according to their own interests. In doing so, they should form their own opinion about the research and thoughts of the professors under attack. (SDA)
