Report fact-finding investigation 7, 8 and 9 May published

On Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday, May 8, there were protests by students and employees of Utrecht University and others. Both days the protests resulted in occupations of university premises, which were ended by the police. The Executive Board – partly at request of the University Council – commissioned the Global Justice Investigations Lab (GJIL) to conduct an independent fact-finding investigation with the aim of reconstructing a timeline of events on May 7, 8 and 9. The investigation report is now publicly available. 

The researchers analysed public texts, videos and photos that were published on the three days in question. These include journalistic reports in national and local media, as well as posts, photos and videos on social media. Based on this information, the researchers created a timeline of events on May 7, 8 and 9. In doing so, they provide insight into matters that took place partly out of the Executive Board’s sight. The researchers do not draw any conclusions from the actions of the parties involved, but purely make an overview of what emerges from public sources. Read the report.

The Executive Board commissioned this investigation in part at the request of the University Council, hoping that such a report will shed more light on the actual events. The full report will be analysed in the coming period and the Executive Board will, based on this and after having spoken to in any case the University Council and the Deans, consider what points of attention and lessons emerge from it.