The government’s announcement to create a protocol that defines when authorities can intervene in public universities in cases of violence or vandalism has sparked concern among various political sectors and educational institutions. The measure aims to prevent infrastructure destruction during protests near these educational centers.
President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the creation of the protocol on Sunday, with the purpose of establishing mechanisms to address potential acts of violence and damage to university infrastructure. However, the proposal has generated divided opinions.
Autonomy and Intervention
Senator Esmeralda Hernández of the Pacto Histórico questioned the initiative, stating that it could violate university autonomy, as rectors should determine whether authorities can enter the premises. The Universidad Pedagógica Nacional also recalled that university autonomy is a fundamental principle of higher education, protecting freedom of thought, knowledge production, and critical debate.
The institution warned that militarization and repression as responses to violence within universities have had severe historical consequences and that any intervention disregarding the principle of proportionality could affect rights such as life, personal integrity, freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and education.
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Reactions and Debate
Hernández also stated that the protection of university autonomy emerged after periods when different governments took control of campuses. “University autonomy, which has constitutional protection, cannot be violated. It is the rectors who decide whether the police can enter or not,” she said.
On the other hand, the director of Nuevo Liberalismo, Juan Manuel Galán, and former senator María Fernanda Cabal defended the need for university autonomy not to be used to prevent the application of the law. Galán said that “autonomy does not mean impunity” and that conduct such as manufacturing explosive elements or selling drugs should be sanctioned.
According to the filing, the president emphasized that he will not allow public universities to continue being “sanctuaries of violence under any circumstances.” He assured that he respects and guarantees peaceful protest but also stated that university autonomy is not a blank check for impunity.
The president added that he has given precise instructions for a national protocol of action that allows distinguishing between legitimate protest and acts of violence, flagrance, danger, or extraordinary alterations of public order that require authority intervention.
