The rector of UNAM, Enrique Graue, condened the destruction caused on Tuesday by protesters in the Tower of Rectory, and announced that the complaint had already been filed with the appropriate authorities for the capture of those responsible.
In a message to the media and university community, Graue accused the protesters of trying to destabilize UNAM, “under the right demands for the eradication of gender-based violence.”
According to the rector, since June 2019 the university has made progress in the implementation of the Protocol Against Gender Violence, which has had adaptations at the suggestion of the university community, and that has resulted in the separation of office and / or suspension of at least 100 people, between administrative workers, academics and students.
She also explained that the women’s movement demands an early solution to gender-based violence, however, she said, “certain local demands cannot be met without the due process to which all university students are entitled.”
“It requires investigation of cases, protection of victims and conduct ingstled procedures in accordance with our regulations and collective workers’ agreements,” he said.
Enrique Graue said that UNAM supports women and their demands for the construction of a new university, and said that he hoped that the investigation of the competent authorities would unmask “the provocateurs” who caused destruction in the Tower of Rectory during the peaceful act in which petition specifications of Preparatory 7 and 9 were delivered.
“The rectory will act with restraint and firmness. I have never been afraid or will have it, I know the limitations of security, but I know the moral strength of UNAM,” he said.
Message from the #RectorGraue to the university community, regarding the situation currently being experienced in UNAM. https://t.co/TCrN92I6QV
— UNAM (@UNAM_MX) February 5, 2020
Here is the full message from the rector of UNAM:
Events like the one we saw yesterday can not go unnoticed by the university, I will allow myself to read a positioning of the rectory:
Yesterday, UNAM was once again the scene of violent and vandalism shaded by hooded persons under the right demands for the eradication of gender-based violence.
Since June the administration of UNAM began a process in higher education with the implementation of the protocol, over time it has had adaptations at the suggestion of the university community itself.
Thanks to these actions violence against women has been visibilized and about 100 university students, among academics, administrators and students, have been rescinded or separated from the house of study.
From November, when taking up protest as rector, I recognized that until that time it was not enough and more would have to be done, during those days some campuses stopped for specific events of gender-based violence, which in some cases were satisfactorily resolved, the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters and national preparatory school campuses remained unemployed.
On repeated occasions, during this time, dialogue tables were established to meet their demands, in some cases they were met and academic normality was restored and in others the proposals were not accepted.
We must understand this movement in all its right dimension, they do not want to wait, they have historically been olded, outraged and demand an early solution, their demands are a reflection of the society to which they aspire and which we all wish to have.
Certain local lawsuits cannot be met without due process to which all university students are entitled, investigation of cases, protection of victims and conduct procedures in accordance with our regulations and collective workers’ agreements are required.
Structural changes are in process:
-University Court with gender perspective.
-The creation of an autonomous body of the rectory that addresses gender-based violence.
-Accompany victims and provide necessary protection.
-Rules of advocacy.
-Courses and dissemination of educational material to explain processes and respect gender culture.
-Proposal for incorporation of subjects with a gender perspective.
Today I have received to a group of academics the proposal for a structural change of the university, to deepen actions and achieve gender equity, in subsequent days we will analyze it.
Two aspects were highlighted yesterday: demand for early solutions from university students and violence that only wants to create more violence, are two sides of the coin, that of students who vote for proposals and those of provocations with insults and destruction.
To that first face, to that of the university, I tell them that it is assertively advanced. Be certain that we are all with them, with the women in building a new university.
To the other each, to those others and others who seek to destabilize us, I say they will not make it.
Again a peaceful act that came to deliver a specification ended in vandalism and aggression, yesterday the corresponding records were lifted, we are in contact with competent authorities, we demand a thorough investigation of the facts, unmask the provocateurs and punish those who are responsible.
However, those who are interested in the solution were able to deliver their demands.
A group of high school 9 students delivered an additional request specification, yesterday I reviewed it and today a timely response will be given, I anticipate that all applications are acceptable, I accept them and I will sign the answer myself.
Ladies and gentlemen, I know I speak on behalf of you, we are committed to UNAM, to gender equity, to the safety of women and outraged by violence.
The rectory will act with restraint and firmness, I have never been afraid or will have it. I know the limitations of security, but I know the moral strength of UNAM that was expressed yesterday.
I invite you all not to fall into provocations, to act universityly, to be close to their communities and to keep aloft the spirit of the university, that by race the spirit speaks.
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