Statement in support of researcher Dr. Francisco Robles Rivera and the IIS, University of Costa Rica

The researchers of The CLACSO Working Group on Educational Policies and the Right to Education endorses the declaration of the CLACSO Working Group Business elites, the state, and domination, in which full support is given to fellow researcher Dr. Francisco Robles Rivera of the University of Costa Rica and extends the same to the Institute of Social Research of that University.

Recently, the University of Costa Rica's Outreach Office made a video based on Francisco Robles' research on inequalities in Central America, which he is conducting at the Institute of Social Research (IIS).

The video has been widely circulated, but unfortunately, it has generated a strong backlash from certain sectors in Costa Rica. These groups are threatening both the researcher and the Institute for Social Research, an institute with a long history of conducting fundamental research in the social sciences, in various ways. 

Since then, some have been calling for the investigation to be shut down, Dr. Francisco Robles to be dismissed, the IIS to be closed, and ultimately, for all discussion of inequality in Costa Rica to be eliminated, thus silencing the contributions of the social sciences. We warn of the potential implications of these demands, which are taking advantage of the current situation and could allow sectors that already advocate for a corporate university, devoid of autonomy and academic freedom, to achieve their goal.

As presented by the CLACSO Working Group on Business Elites, State and Domination

“The social sciences contribute to generating knowledge about society itself, to critically reflecting on common sense, established beliefs, and the naturalization of social relations. For this reason, such criticism often makes power structures uncomfortable. Numerous studies on power have revealed the need for greater transparency and access to public information regarding the functioning of the economy, business groups, and tax systems, in contexts of increasing economic concentration and political authority. All of this is exacerbated by the recurring observation of restrictions on access to and control of data sources, as well as the opacity of the available information.”

Therefore, the CLACSO Working Group Educational policies and the right to education expresses its full support for researcher Francisco Robles Rivera and the Institute of Social Research of the University of Costa Rica so that they may continue to make their important contribution to research and, through it, to social justice.

August 25th, 2020
CLACSO Working Group
Educational policies and the right to education

This statement expresses the position of the Working Group Educational policies and the right to education and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.