Utrecht Univ. files charges against activists for lengthy building occupation

Utrecht University (UU) has filed charges following vandalism and occupation of several campus buildings, including sites in the city and at the Utrecht Science Park, the university said Thursday.

Overnight, vandals broke approximately 40 windows and defaced several buildings, including historic ones, with red paint. UU has linked the damage to ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The occupation has disrupted daily operations at the university. Since the building was occupied, UU has had to relocate classes for 1,200 to 1,700 students daily. On Monday, classes for roughly 350 students were canceled.

Margot van der Starre, acting chair of the university, called the vandalism “shocking.” “The actions not only damage property but also undermine trust and safety within our community. That is unacceptable,” she said.

One university building at Drift 25 has been occupied by protesters since Tuesday, December 2, the university reported. The group allegedly includes both students and individuals with no connection to the university. Through social media, the occupiers are demanding that UU sever all ties with Israel in response to the conflict in Gaza.

UU has been in talks with protesters for two years and knows their demands. In May, the university temporarily halted new collaborations with Israeli institutions. Ongoing research projects with Israeli partners will continue, as they are assessed individually and are not considered contributing to military applications or human rights violations.

Security personnel have been denied access to the occupied building to check fire and evacuation safety. Protesters have been seen on the roof, and cooking has taken place in areas not designed for that purpose.

“In some cases, students are unable to attend the education to which they are entitled or can only participate to a limited extent,” the university said. RTV Utrecht also reported that security cameras inside the building have been covered.

Rector Magnificus Wilco Hazeleger said the protest is causing serious disruptions. “We find it unacceptable that these demonstrators have been hindering fellow students in their right to education for such a long time,” Hazeleger said. “We are also seeing signs of exclusion: banners have been hung on the building that some colleagues and students find offensive. The damage is significant. We stand with our students and staff, and we want to be an open institution with room for different perspectives. Unfortunately, that is not the case currently, and we are being hindered in fulfilling our legal duty: providing education.”

Since the occupation began, UU has been coordinating with local authorities—including the mayor, police, and public prosecutors—to avoid escalation and encourage the protesters to leave voluntarily, allowing hundreds of students to return to their classes.

UU filed official charges of vandalism and trespassing, which apply when someone damages property or enters a private space without permission and refuses to leave after being ordered to do so. The spokesperson said such charges are standard procedure in occupation cases.

Whether the charges will lead to an eviction is still uncertain. “We are not jumping ahead,” the spokesperson said. The "triangle" of city authorities, police, and the Public Prosecution Service will make any decision to clear the building.