UNAM disapproves appeal in favor of Esquivel, but will “abide by”

From the editorial

Newspaper La Jornada
Saturday February 18, 2023, p. 6

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) regretted not being able to publicly refer to the issue of academic plagiarism attributed to Minister Yasmín Esquivel, after she obtained a provisional suspension from a federal court in that regard, and emphasized that it is not in accordance with said resolution, but will abide by it.

Meanwhile, people close to Esquivel indicated that the official will present irrefutable evidence of his innocence for the accusation of plagiarism against him and expressed that It’s not about limiting freedom of expression. of the university, but to protect the reputation and personal dignity of the minister.

In a brief statement, the highest house of studies stressed that is law-abiding and will abide by the provisions of the provisional suspension agreement granted on February 15 by the fifth district court in administrative matters of Mexico City, in the sense of not divulging information related to the case and will make use of the legal resources to which it is entitled.

Space of freedoms and plurality of ideas

However, he stressed that the UNAM It is a space of freedoms, where the plurality of ideas is expressed and confronted without restrictions or obstacles. In the university the voices are not silenced; on the contrary, it is where debate is encouraged and critical thinking is cultivated. Censorship will always be contrary to the essence of the university.

Due to the above, the institution regrets and cannot agree with the court order that seeks to silence her, restricting her freedom and the right to information of university students and society.

reject litigate in the media

In response to the University’s statement, people close to Esquivel sent this newspaper a letter in which they ensured that the minister will provide solid evidence in his favor before the University Ethics Committee of the UNAM.

In this vein, they indicated that, despite having said evidence, Esquivel decided to file an amparo against the said committee because, On the one hand, trust in the ethical criteria of the organism, but since it acts outside of precise legal frameworks, with which their rights may be affected, has turned to the Judiciary to guarantee respect for their human right to due process.

After assuring that the elements presented by Esquivel are practically irrefutable –including an expert opinion on the authenticity of his thesis–, the letter stressed that Esquivel does not intend to silence the UNAM or litigate in the media this case.