Statement on the University Court’s failure to take action on divestment from controversial weapons
UCU Edinburgh expresses deep disappointment at the further delay to action on divestment. Staff and student members of the University community have made clear our demand for the Court to act on divestment, and we are deeply frustrated by the numerous delays and obfuscatory processes that have led to such inaction thus far.
The decision taken by Court on 17 June to seek further information on whether to add AI weapons systems to its list of contentious weapons fails to respond with due urgency to the University’s plausible complicity with genocide. The report of the Divestment Team, issued yesterday to members of the University community, shows that Court was provided with compelling information about why holdings related to ‘Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems’ using AI should not be in UoE’s portfolio of investments, yet the Court delayed taking action. This decision goes against the sustainable and ethical investment principles of the University, and our community’s urgent demand for divestment, expressed through multiple channels including the University Senate and a student encampment at Old College led by Edinburgh Justice for Palestine Society lasting more than a month that also involved hunger strikes by students.
Given the ICJ rulings on the risk of genocide in Gaza, and the statements of numerous UN agencies and experts that genocide is ongoing, the situation is urgent. The University of Edinburgh should not avoid its responsibility to address its plausible complicity with genocide through its investments in weapons-related companies. This is particularly important given the University’s association with Balfour. Senior leadership, including the Principal, have excluded key information from the Court’s decision-making, reneging on their commitment to the staff and student members of the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) on Definitions of Armaments for Investments. Specifically, key aspects of the advice of SLWG member Prof Afshin Mehrpouya, an expert on responsible investing and the logistics of divestment at the UoE Business School, were not communicated to Court Members with sufficient clarity as mentioned in the Divestment Team's report. Such delaying tactics are unconscionable.
UCUE is encouraging all members of the University community to respond to the consultation on the UoE Responsible Investment Policy. Over the coming weeks we will ensure our members are equipped to respond robustly and continue to pursue the end goal of divestment from companies that develop AI weapons systems.
