The Technische Universität (TU) Dresden is calling for commitment to a strong democracy and resistance against anti-democratic and anti-Semitic efforts. "It is with great concern that we see how anti-constitutional, especially right-wing extremist forces are threatening our democracy with inhumane, nationalist thinking and how people are being intimidated and marginalized," it said in a statement published on Tuesday and signed "Never again is now!". "We must all - and science as part of society - take a decisive stand against this." It must not remain silent "when fundamental values of our basic democratic order such as civil liberties, human dignity and the rule of law are at risk".
The internationally oriented university stands "for respect, diversity and openness to the world", the statement continues. As the city's largest employer, it has a social responsibility and a duty to protect its almost 40,000 employees and students from over 120 countries from discrimination and exclusion. "We oppose hatred, hate speech and violence, racism and anti-Semitism and stand up for a society in which the fundamental rights and dignity of every individual are respected." Science needs liberal democracy and the rule of law.
