Academic freedom is protected from political interference by Article 5, Paragraph 3 of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz, GG) and is recognized worldwide as a human right. It is an indispensable part of democratic states and their political order. In light of German history, this freedom must be acknowledged, defended and continuously reaffirmed as the untouchable foundation of our democracy. Any interference in academic structures and the freedom of research not only damages academic institutions and their international reputation but also inflicts significant harm on democracy as a whole. Academic freedom is inextricably linked to the freedom of society, as there can be no innovation or progress without it – both of which are rooted in research.

On 18 January 2025, Alice Weidel announced at the AfD party conference that a government under her leadership would shut down all Gender Studies institutions. "We will throw out all these professors," Weidel declared. With this statement, she not only concretized the party’s programmatic rejection of an entire academic discipline but also threatened a massive infringement on the freedom of research and teaching. These remarks are not only unconstitutional but also profoundly anti-democratic. An attack on Gender Studies sets a precedent that could be extended arbitrarily to other academic disciplines and research fields.

The independence of research applies equally to all fields. It ensures that academic progress remains possible and, in doing so, lays the foundation for the sustainability of democracy and pluralism. Constructive, fact-based criticism and open public discussion about research and teaching are just as essential to this progress as science communication itself. We firmly reject any attempts to discredit or threaten individual researchers, research groups or entire disciplines. Hostility towards science and intellectuals is a hallmark of authoritarian politics, one that erodes public trust in academia.
We condemn all threats against researchers, whether in Gender Studies or other disciplines. We reaffirm our conviction that the autonomy of research and higher education institutions is essential to the democratic system. Attacks on academic freedom are attacks on democracy itself.

Fachgesellschaft Gender Studies/Gender Studies Association (fg-gender.de)