A Mexican University has rejected a petition to revoke the degree of a student finding that claims put forward by professors to sanction him were “unfounded”.

Graduating top of his class at the Autonomous University of Baja California’s School of Medicine and Psychology, Christian Cortez Pérez, earned the right to deliver the commencement address at his graduation ceremony on 27 June 2022. In his speech, he voiced his deeply held moral convictions regarding the state of the world today on many issues, including the importance of the family and the value of unborn life.

In response, a group of professors published a “manifesto,” calling for an effective ban on Christian’s professional practice as a psychologist. The University followed by initiating formal proceedings to: 1) withhold his professional license, 2) withdraw his merit award, and 3) alert psychology associations across Mexico about his statements.

In its ruling, issued on 21 September 2022, the University Council held that, “the arguments presented by the aggrieved party are unfounded, as well as the sanctions requested, for which reason the appeal filed is dismissed”.