In consultation with the Council of Deans, the UGV praesidium and the Ombuds Officer, the Executive Board (CvB) decided to commission an independent factual account. This report is the result of the ensuing investigation. The Ombuds Officer was responsible for commissioning the investigation.
Ombuds officers Aukje Verstegen and Job van Luyken say about the report: 'The report was drawn up by Berenschot and contains an independent, factual reconstruction of the events on and around the Berchmanianum. It describes what took place that day, without assessment, without conclusions about guilt or blame. That was the assignment, and it was carried out carefully.
The events of 7 May had a major impact on students, staff, security guards and bystanders. That is why we felt it was necessary for an external agency to investigate from multiple perspectives what happened and which facts could be reliably established. We thank everyone who contributed by sharing experiences, images or information.
This report is not an end point, but provides a basis for further discussions within the university community. It enables those involved to reflect, together, on topics such as safety, the right to demonstrate, frameworks for action, communication and mutual trust.
We remain available to anyone who has questions, concerns or needs a conversation as a result of this report. We will absolutely monitor if and what follow-up is given to this report.'