Minister rejects claim Maastricht University gave in to intimidation

Education, Culture and Science Minister Rianne Letschert does not accept that Maastricht University (UM) gave in to intimidation when it cancelled a Jewish meeting over safety concerns. She set out her position in written answers sent to the Tweede Kamer on 9 November, replying to questions from PVV MP Raijer submitted on 5 November.

Raijer had argued that UM yielded to intimidation and to groups wanting to block academic debate. Letschert answered: "I don't agree with that conclusion." She said everyone worked hard to let the meeting go ahead. According to the minister, UM arranged extra security, looked for a suitable room and explored several other locations, including municipal buildings in consultation with the mayor.

The university board had not foreseen how far the situation escalated online, Letschert said. She added that she very much regrets it when a meeting cannot go ahead because of safety risks, this one included. It is up to an institution's board to weigh that carefully, if necessary with the local security triangle (veiligheidsdriehoek), she said.

At a committee debate on research and science policy on 5 November, Letschert had said UM told her it decided in coordination with the local security triangle. UM later told her it had used that term by mistake and meant contact with the municipality and police. The mayor of Maastricht said UM did have such contact to see whether and how the meeting could still go ahead, but that no local triangle meeting took place.

Raijer also asked whether UM should be obliged to report to the police the online sharing of a Jewish lecturer's personal data. Letschert said that decision lies with UM under the Wetenschap Veilig agreements and, depending on the circumstances, with the person whose data was spread. The police and the Public Prosecution Service then judge whether a crime was committed.