The Student Parliament in Oslo demands that the University of Oslo boycott the US, Israel, the UK, Russia, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Turkey and China.

2006-05-03 På norsk

This is clearly stated in a sensational resolution that the Student Parliament at UiO passed last week. It is the Student Parliament’s position that the University should terminate academic international co-operation altogether and call home exchange students. This is in addition to UiO and the Foundation for Student Life in Oslo (SiO) taking part in the boycott of goods and services targeted against no less than twelve nations.

- This is the most radical resolution from a governing student body in 30 years, the satisfied leader of Venstrealliansen, Benjamin Jonsrud, says.

- A travesty

Kristian Meisingset, leader of Moderat Gruppe (MG), is highly critical of the resolution and says it is a travesty brought on by MG:

- Resolutions are products of the snowballing frustration throughout the year. The frequent proposals from Venstrealliansen are irrelevant to students, inconsistent and badly put, Meisingset says.

The original proposal from Sosialdemokratene applied only to a boycott of Israel. Later, Øystein R. Sundelin from Moderat Gruppe made amendments that were supposed to include all occupying nations of the world. It was resolved with a meager majority of votes from MG, mainly comprised of members from The Conservative Party of Norway (H) and The Liberal Party of Norway (V), as well as from Venstrealliansen with members from The Socialist Left Party of Norway (SV) and Rød Valgallianse (RV), a far-left political party.

Sundelin is now concerned about the effects of the resolution:

- Why, then, did you go ahead with the proposal?

- My intention was to demonstrate the inconsistency of the Student Parliament. What is more, I do not have the capacity to look after the other representatives.

- Couldn’t you have made a more symbolic proposal, without such extensive effects?

- I don’t think that would have created a similar debate, Sundelin says, who thinks the resolution is an indication that the Student Parliament should be dissolved.

Israel given priority

Current leader of the Student Parliament Maria Veie Sandvik strongly denounces Kristian Meisingset's stern statements.

- Group leader Meisingset has to be responsible for the way MG votes and not blame others, she says.

She feels that the resolution is so wide-ranging that parts of it need to be given priority, primarily Israel.

- Judging from the debate in the Student Parliament, a priority of Israel is natural, Veie Sandvik, who is seeking an unambiguous stand from the Rector, says.

- Former Rector Kåre Norum made several statements supportive of Palestinians, which is a challenge for Ellingsen, Veie Sandvik says.

Rector Geir Ellingsrud is surprised by the resolution.

- This sounds very dramatic and is not doable, Ellingsrud says.

Ellingsrud does not wish to comment on the symbolic meaning of the resolution.

Audun Skei Fostvedt • Marius Nergård Pettersen (photo) • Translated by Egil Ellenes