The Notre Dame d’Arlon Institute proposes to dismiss one of its teachers for serious misconduct. This is not common, but the establishment criticizes Emmanuel Herbin for having exceeded his duty of reserve. Several months ago, the teacher notably distributed to his students “antivax” leaflets and even recipes for “devaccinating”. Despite several calls to order, the professor continued his actions.
The Arlon school therefore decided, at the end of 2022, to initiate disciplinary proceedings. Ie Power Organizer of the school issued a proposal to the person concerned. Emmanuel Herbin disputes it and replies. “He disputes this decision, both on its principle and on its cumbersomeness, and therefore we have lodged an appeal before a Board of Appeal”explains Damien Dillenbourg, the lawyer of the offending professor. The establishment believes that by sharing its opinion on vaccines, Emmanuel Herbin did not respect the decree fixing the status of subsidized free education staff members. According to our colleagues from the Future of Luxembourg, he is accused of attacking the safety of his students, of having used them for political propaganda purposes and of having compromised the honor and dignity of his office.
A period of 90 days before a decision
The teacher hides behind the right to freedom of expression. A right that the plaintiffs consider largely exceeded. “He cannot, on this basis, finally make the apology by trying to convince his students that vaccines are not useful or even are dangerous for health”explains Hervé Deckers, the lawyer for the Organizing Power of the Institut Notre-Dame D’Arlon. For now, the dialogue is broken between the two parties. The Board of Appeal has a maximum of 90 days to rule on the matter. It will then be up to the Organizing Authority of the establishment to align itself with this opinion or to make another decision, all within an additional month.
