Supporting the Free University of Aleppo, Syria in their struggle for independent education

As students, we:

• ask every student and members of the educational system in Austria and around the world to stand with us and support the struggle of the Free University of Aleppo.

• we support the students of the Free University of Aleppo, because we understand and stand for education that helps to build and guarantee a better future. We believe in the capability of universities as institutions in creating a strong base for democratic society

• with this petition we would like to highlight the violations against higher education institutions in Syria. Our stand includes a message to the students and staff of Aleppo Free University that we support them in their position and their refusal to belong to any political body that has terrorist or dictatorial agenda despite the circumstances of war in which they live.

• we will seek to take this message to wider humanitarian dimensions, by sending signatures and our position on what is happening to the United Nations.

• We call for humanitarian support and political pressure to stop the bombing, kidnapping and threats against teaching staff and students of Aleppo Free University.

• Believing in the importance of higher education to create a peaceful and democratic future in societies. It is based on discussions, scientific research in all fields, which in turn exposes the language and practices of violence.