Universities in Rhineland-Palatinate are places where we promote and demand respectful and critical dialogue in teaching and research. We facilitate differentiated debates by opening up spaces for reflective, critical thinking.

In this way, we as universities jointly stand up for freedom in the sense of Article 2 of the German Basic Law: "Everyone has the right to the free development of his personality, provided he does not infringe the rights of others and does not violate the constitutional order or the moral law". We see human rights as valid for all people and actively campaign against all forms of discrimination, anti-Semitism and racism, as well as in favour of social justice. Freedom as a guiding principle of science and its social responsibility is also expressed in the motto for the Science Year 2024 "Freedom", which the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has proclaimed.

For us as educational and scientific institutions, the freedom of research and teaching within the framework of the Basic Law is our top priority. At the same time, we reflect on our actions against the background of our social responsibility. We are observing increasing hostility towards science in parts of society, which relativises or even denies the results of scientific studies, e.g. on climate change.

Against this backdrop, we are following the current political developments in our country with great concern. This year, we are looking back on 75 years of the Basic Law. Its Article 1 makes it unmistakably clear: "Human dignity is inviolable" - a sentence that still has an impact today and must form the basis not only of our country's politics, but also of our social interaction.

We are concerned that there is increasing support for positions that express a rejection of fundamental freedoms that are no longer in line with our constitution. These include positions that denigrate the dignity of people and deny the equality rights of the Basic Law. Such positions are incompatible with the fundamental values that we as universities stand for.

As universities, we are part of society and assume responsibility. This includes resolutely defending democracy and standing up together for a society that is committed to the values of the Basic Law.