University lecturer Harry Pettit of Radboud University Nijmegen is filing a complaint against Education Minister Gouke Moes. Moes believes that Pettit should be prosecuted.
A week ago, outgoing Minister Moes put pressure on Radboud University Nijmegen during the talk show Café Kockelmann. He said the university should file a complaint against the fiercely pro-Palestinian university lecturer Harry Pettit because of his tweets about Israel and Gaza.
Moes threatened to use an “escalation ladder”. He said he could speak to the Supervisory Board or ask the Education Inspectorate to look into the matter. And he claimed to have even more “tools” at his disposal.
Such pressure undermines the rule of law, academic freedom and freedom of expression, according to the lecturer and his solicitor Adem Çatbaş. They believe this constitutes misconduct in public office. Çatbaş says that the minister is not merely explaining what options he has. Moes is putting pressure on the university with his escalation ladder. ‘That in itself is sufficient grounds for our report.’
Pettit told Nijmegen university magazine Vox that governments are becoming increasingly autocratic in their approach to pro-Palestinian activism: ‘I have decided to fight back, in the hope that I will inspire others to make their voices heard too.’
Moes waits
Moes responds via his spokesperson: ‘Everyone is free to file a report. We are patiently awaiting further developments.’
Prosecution for misconduct in office is preceded by a preliminary investigation by the Attorney General of the Supreme Court. Such investigations have only been conducted a few times in recent years (for example, in connection with the benefits scandal). This has not led to prosecution.
The Minister of Justice can order prosecution. The House of Representatives can also decide to do so. This rarely happens.
HOP, Bas Belleman
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