On October 20, European ministers adopted Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research asserting the “relevance of the freedom of scientific research for the progress of our societies”.
It states that freedom of scientific research is a core principle of the European Union, anchored in the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the EU.
The signatories to the Bonn Declaration undertake to protect the critical discourse and condemn violations of freedom of scientific research. This entails the protection of researchers by government institutions and safeguarding against government intervention in the freedom of research.
They also affirm the central role of freedom of scientific research as a common core value and principle of research cooperation within the European Research Area and with international partners.
Text of the Declaration can be found here.
