The Guild of Students would like to voice our condemnation of the actions and words of a number of individuals towards Malia Bouattia, the NUS Black Students’ Officer, across social media and in certain parts of the press. Malia is a student at the University of Birmingham and as a students’ union; we firmly believe that all students have a right to freedom of speech, to voice their opinion and to be protected from personal attack as a result of political debate. We are deeply concerned that the social media activity and press reaction following a recent meeting of the NUS NEC, will compromise the safety of Muslim and BME students on campus at the University of Birmingham as well as across the country - and also believe that the debate which takes place at NEC should do so in a safe way, where people are free from the attacks that Malia is currently enduring, following the voicing of her opinion. The reality is that a Muslim woman has not only been undermined, but has received verbal insults and threats for speaking up on behalf of those whom she represents , and we do not believe this should be tolerated. Freedom of speech is a right that must be respected and we feel it necessary to support an individual who has unfortunately come under attack because of exercising this right. Furthermore, every individual should have freedom from the abuse which Malia has been subjected to and we would like to urge NUS Officers and other Students’ Unions to join in support of Malia on this basis. guildofstudents/news/article/website/Statement-regarding-Malia-Bouattia-/
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:42:46 +0000
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