Earlier this week, The Mancunion, the University of Manchester’s student paper, reported that racist graffiti had been directed towards one of the candidates standing in the student union elections. On Monday, it was discovered that the posters of a student standing to be the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer had been defaced and vandalised […]
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MP writes to SOAS over extreme speaker events
Last week, it was reported that ‘Helping Households under Great Stress’ (HHUGS) had campaigned at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) during an event calling for the release of convicted terrorists. Journalists were given a card claiming Islamist terrorist Adel Abdel Bary was detained without charge, despite Bary’s 2014 conviction for his involvement […]
Continue readingLSESU attacks LSE over criticism of exhibition commemorating terrorists
In late October, Student Rights reported on an exhibition memorialising dead terrorists at the London School of Economics (LSE) and criticised the Student Union (SU) for whitewashing the incident. The exhibition, hosted by the LSESU Palestine Society, commemorated “victims” of Israeli aggression, while failing to mention that some of those listed had in fact been […]
Continue readingReport: Maryam Namazie Speaks at Warwick University
On Wednesday evening, Student Rights travelled to Warwick University to hear human rights campaigner Maryam Namazie address students. The event, entitled ‘Apostasy, Blasphemy and Free Expression in the age of ISIS’, discussed how the rise of extreme Islamist movements has suppressed human rights in the Middle East, and also focused on attempts to silence criticism […]
Continue readingControversial anti-gay activist speaks at Dundee University
Tackling extremism on the UK’s university campuses has featured heavily in the public debate in recent weeks, with guidance provided by the government requiring institutions to: “…ensure they have proper risk assessment processes for speakers and ensure those espousing extremist views do not go unchallenged.” While there has been a focus on Islamist speakers, it […]
Continue readingMaryam Namazie barred from Warwick University (Update: Warwick SU reverse decision)
UPDATE 28/09/2015: Following widespread coverage of this story the Student Union at the University of Warwick has changed its decision and allowed Namazie to speak. In a statement released over the weekend, the union has said that: “Warwick SU has a process for assessing any potential risks or legal issues associated with any external speaker, […]
Continue readingUniversity of Westminster diversity report released
In June, Student Rights spoke to the Sunday Times about a leaked report commissioned by the University of Westminster which had found serious concerns about the university Islamic Society. With the report being released this month, the story has now been covered in the Guardian, focusing on the society’s “ultra-conservative” views, as well as the […]
Continue readingMuhammad Salah and the University of Greenwich
On 9 May, the Islamic Society at the University of Greenwich released a poster for an ‘Annual Dinner’ event called ‘The Promise of Allah & The Promise of Shaytaan’. Due to take place on 5 June, the event was to feature Muhammad Salah as a “special guest”, who would have been an extremely controversial speaker. […]
Continue readingCampus Voice: Frankie said ‘Relax’ – Tell that to the New Puritans
Here at Student Rights we have often cited our belief that universities must have robust policies in place to deal with harassment or discrimination, and that a focus on equality and diversity is vital if institutions are to effectively challenge extremism. In this article, KCL lecturer Dr Niall McCrae gives his take on the issue […]
Continue readingStudent society censored at University of Manchester
Earlier this week the Free Speech and Secular Society (FSS) at the University of Manchester planned to display a cover of Charlie Hebdo on its stall at the ‘Refreshers Fair’ in memory of those killed. However, the society was told by the student union that it could not display the magazine, as the fair “was […]
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