This letter has been initiated by members of the NUS NEC, Defend the Right to Protest supporters and other activists. If you want to sign the letter please post a comment below
To whom it may concern,
The wave of revolutions sweeping the Arab World has seen people demonstrate in the face of brutal oppression to call for change. In Bahrain protestors have called for one person one vote, a constitutional monarchy, and an end to corruption – many were shot dead in the street, and hundreds have now disappeared, after Saudi soldiers joined Bahraini police in a violent crack-down that has been condemned by many human rights organisations.
Bahraini students inManchesterand otherUKcities have been targeted by the Bahraini government for exercising their right to protest in support of the Bahraini democracy movement. They have now had their sponsorship cancelled by the Bahraini government, which has also demanded that the students return from theUK. These students face severe punishment if they do return toBahrain, and those who have returned from other countries have been arrested at the airport upon arrival. The Guardian has recently documented the risks facing Bahraini students and their families (see link below).
The British government has recently allowed Libyan students to continue their studies in theUKand provided financial assistance to facilitate this. The universal access to education is a right and should not be denied as a punishment for participating in protest.
We the undersigned call upon University chancellors to ensure these students can continue their studies, can remain in accommodation and do receive support.
In addition we call upon the British Foreign Secretary to call in the Bahrain Ambassador and demand that the Bahraini crack-down is ended.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Bergfeld, NUS NEC
Aaron Porter, NUS President
Liam Burns, NUS President-elect
Susan Nash, VP Society and Citizenship
Joshua McKenzie, NUS NEC
Kanja Sesay, NUS Black Students’ Officer
Vicki Baars, NUS LGBT Officer (Women’s place)
Alan Bailey, NUS LGBT Officer
Ciarnan Helferty, President NUS-USI
Sean Rillo Raczka, ULU Vice-President elect
John Peart, NUS NEC
Shane Chowen, NUS VP Further Education
Ed Marsh, NUS VP Union Development
Kelley Temple, NUS Scotland Women’s Officer
Rupy Kaur, NUS Disabled Students’ Officer
Katie Dalton, NUSWalesPresident
Stevie Wise, VP Academic AffairsEdinburghStudents Association
Pete Woodward, NUS NEC
Luke Young, NUS Wales
Sophia James, NUS NEC
Estelle Hart, NUS Women’s Officer-elect
Paul Tobin, NUS NEC
Matt Bond, NUS Disabled Students’ Committee
Toni Pearce, VP Further Education-elect
Robin Parker, NUSScotlandPresident-elect
CameronTait,SussexUni SU President
Hannah Paterson, Welfare Officer Manchester Uni SU
Dan Derricott, VP Academic Affairs Lincoln Students’ Union
Emma Kerry, Women’s Officer Manchester Uni Students’ Union
Chris Dingle, Kingston University Students President-elect
Anil Joshi Sachdeo, NUS Black Students’ Committee
Shelley King, UBU Ethics, Environment & Welfare Officer Bradford Uni
Sarah Fearns, Welfare and Equality Officer Newcastle University Students’ Union
Lee Gavin, UCA Students’ Union
Claire Locke, President-elect London Met SU
James Pickin, NUS NEC
Leave a Reply