Ghent (Brussels Morning) – A bailiff found 50 students occupying the UFO building for a month. Ghent University seeks court-ordered eviction due to stalled negotiations. Activists demand action on Gaza, climate issues.
At 12 o’clock a bailiff entered the UFO building and discovered that around 50 students were still occupying the premises which they had been doing for a month. The students had established a makeshift camp complete with tents a study area and a dining area indicating a well-organized and prolonged stay. Despite Ghent University’s request for the activists to vacate the building voluntarily the students had not complied with the demand.
What are the implications of Ghent University’s pursuit of a mandatory eviction for activists occupying the UFO building?
The bailiff having assessed the situation and found approximately 50 students still occupying the UFO building with tents a study area and a dining area will now report his findings to Ghent University’s lawyer. The lawyer plans to go to court to request a mandatory eviction order due to the students’ non-compliance with the university’s previous voluntary evacuation request. Should the court grant the eviction order the police may be deployed to enforce it. However, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the timing of these proceedings and any potential police action.
The activist mentioned that they feel the public doesn’t understand their actions and that more needs to be done especially concerning the situation in Gaza. They believe more drastic measures are necessary but there are debates internally about this. Ghent University is presenting recent policy changes as a compromise although they are based on their own recommendations. Despite some progress like in climate matters it’s felt that more significant steps should be taken. The decision has been made to continue even if it’s hard for people to grasp.
Rector Rik Van de Walle responded briefly to the university’s decision to seek a mandatory eviction. He stated “We have no other choice. The negotiations are completely at a standstill and the activists do not want a compromise.” This statement reflects the university’s frustration and the deadlock in discussions which left them with no alternative but to pursue legal action. The rector’s comments underscore the severity of the situation and the inability to reach a mutually agreeable solution with the students leading to the necessity of court intervention.
