Protect inviolable values!

Saxony’s universities and colleges stand for openness to the world and tolerance, humanity, and respect. These—along with the freedom of research and teaching—are sacrosanct values. They form the foundation both for social cohesion and for excellence in research and teaching. As universities, it is our duty to contribute to understanding and taking responsibility through scientifically sound analyses.

We see these values threatened by the developments of recent years in Saxony and, most recently, in Chemnitz. We are witnessing that Saxony now faces a massive problem with right-wing extremism, which for years was underestimated—and in some cases even downplayed—by large segments of the political establishment and the authorities.

Regardless of the reasons why people are concerned and take to the streets—displaying the Hitler salute, chanting inhuman, hate-inciting slogans, and attacks against those with differing views—all of these are criminal offenses that must not be tolerated. We view this as an attack on our democracy and the rule of law! That is why we call on all people in the Free State of Saxony—and beyond its borders—to stand together for democratic values. We call on politicians to transcend party lines and oppose far-right tendencies more vigorously than before, and to take consistent action against every form of right-wing extremism. We ourselves—the universities, their employees and students, as well as their other members—are committed to active moral courage. We are called upon to stand up more clearly for these values and to engage more actively in social discourse.

“The blame for all the nonsense that happens lies not only with those who do it, but also with those who do not prevent it,” said Erich Kästner. This attitude is more important today than ever!

The Saxony State Rectors’ Conference