Its task is to investigate whether Leiden University is collaborating with organisations, institutions or groups that directly or indirectly violate human rights, support war or violate other important international norms. If such cases are identified, the committee will advise on the implications for these partnerships. The Executive Board will use this advice to decide whether or not to continue the collaboration.

First assignment: Collaboration with Israeli partners

The committee’s first assignment is to investigate our current institutional collaborations (research and student exchange) with Israeli partners. By mid-July, the committee will issue advice on the student exchange agreements with Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University. These exchanges were suspended in May 2024. 

The Committee may base its advice on documentation, expert consultations and input from university staff involved in the relevant collaborations. It encourages students and staff to share their views via CommissieMensenrechten@bb.leidenuniv.nl
 
During the investigation into the existing institutional collaborations, Leiden University will not initiate new institutional collaborations with institutional partners in Israel. Existing collaborations will be prioritised in the investigation.

Research collaborations

The research collaborations under review are:

• Resilience, ERC Synergy project with Ben Gurion University of the Negev
• ISIDORe, EU project with the Weizmann Institute of Science
• Graph Algebras, Marie Curie project with the University of Haifa
• TAILOR, EU project with Bar Ilan University
• AQUAPLAN, EU project with Bar Ilan University
• EU GLOCTER, EU doctoral training programme with Reichman University
• PARC, EU project with the Ministry of Health 
• SSb4DCheM, EU project with AHAVA Dead Sea Laboratories Ltd.
• IMAGIO, EU project with Philips Medical Systems Israel
• European Citizen Science, EU project with the Mofet Institute
• RECOMB, EU project Medical Research Infrastructure and Development and Health Services Fund by the Sheba Medical Center (LUMC)
• EJP RD, European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases with the Ministry of Health  (LUMC)
• THRIVE (Tumor-Host interactions in liver cancer of childhood and adults), EU project (LUMC)

Members of the Committee on Human Rights / Conflict Zones

The committee on Human Rights / Conflict Zones is chaired by Professor Joanne van der Leun, Academic Lead for International Affairs and Professor of Criminology, and has the following permanent members:

• Dorota Mokrosinska, Professor of Practical Philosophy
• Dirk Engberts, Emeritus Professor of Normative Aspects of Medicine
• Rick Lawson, Professor of European Law.

For its first assignment, the committee will be expanded to include regional expert Professor Petra Sijpesteijn, Professor of Arabic. The committee will be supported by staff from Administration and Central Services.