Greek Parliament discussed a draft bill that includes a number of measures including the abolition of asylum at Greek universities and preventing deadlock in city and regional council decisions was tabled at the relevant parliamentary committees on Monday. The debate will conclude on Tuesday and on Wednesday the draft law will be introduced to the plenum.
The bill was posted for public consultation until August 2, and will be processed using fast-track procedures leading to a vote on Thursday.
If passed, it will allow the entry of police to academic institutions. In the existing law, state or public authorities may intervene in educational establishments “in cases of crimes and crimes against life, on its own motion” however “in any other case, following a decision of the dean’s council”.
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The new regulation would abolish academic asylum according to a new clause on “academic freedoms” aimed at “upgrading the quality of the academic environment.
This would mean:
1. At higher educational institutions, academic freedom in research and teaching is guaranteed and protected as an institutional guarantee of independent and inviolable scientific thought, research and teaching.
2. Academic freedom and the free expression and circulation of ideas are protected on all higher education premises, against anyone who tries to tear them down or restrict them.
3. Within the premises of higher education institutions, relevant authorities exercise all their jurisdictions accorded by law, including intervention because of criminal offences.”