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Students' Union Statement... 

 

 

 

A message from the Co-Presidents

 

The last few weeks have raised a number of issues around racism on and off campus. We believe in communication as a means to settle our differences and begin to be able to work together again to counter racism in all its forms. However, we cannot work effectively whilst some factions within the Union are making harmful and false statements attacking the Union and it’s elected representatives.

 

We have particular concerns with false and inaccurate information disseminated by the 'Enuff is Enuff' campaign on behalf of the SOAS ACS, a SOAS Co- Black Officer, Minority Students.co.uk and AA CYSA.

 

The SOAS Students' Union is committed to battling racism in its many forms. Indeed, the last UGM was dominated by motions aimed at doing just that. In addition to the condemnation of Chris Mullins and call for Wes Streeting to resign, a motion was passed in support of the work of minoritystudents.co.uk in its battle to tackle racism.

The “Enuff is Enuff” campaign is part of the work conducted by minoritystudents.co.uk and we recognise the importance of such organisations and campaigns in implementing their aims.

 

However, since the UGM, various statements have been issued by the ‘Enuff is Enuff’ campaign. Some of these amount to fallacious and libellous campaigning.  One particular statement, entitled “MSUK Demo Cover Story” is laden with false claims, inaccuracies, misrepresentation and slander.

 

The Students’ Union is requesting an immediate retraction and apology from all parties concerned to counter the disrepute that it has placed upon the SOAS Students’ Union and prevent further action from being taken.

 

We will continue to work to represent the SOAS student body with all its issues, concerns and dreams.

 

 

 

Background information:

 

On Wednesday the 15^th October an event was held entitled “Is it still worth fighting for a free education?” The event was organised over the summer period by the Students’ Union, with invitations sent out to the NUS President, the Minister for Higher Education, the Shadow Minister for Higher Education and notable Student Activists. All invitations were initially accepted, however with a cabinet reshuffle, changes were made to the panel.

 

The SOAS Students’ Union proudly promotes freedom of expression and speech, as codified in its constitution. It is for this reason, and to foster debate, that the Union has not implemented a no-platform policy.

 

The first SOAS UGM of the year passed a motion calling for the immediate resignation of NUS President Wes Streeting. Allegations have since been made that Wes Streeting’s presence at the Free Education event was undemocratic and therefore contrary to Union policy. However, the Union strongly refutes this claim and reasserts that neither his invitation nor participation in the event was undemocratic, in light of our stance against a no-platform policy.

 

The article in question is defamatory and hostile, containing an unacceptable number of inaccuracies. The points of main contention are as follows:

 

• Claims that the presence of Wes Streeting was undemocratic.

The SOAS SU refutes this, and defends its behaviour in line with its principles as outlined above.

 

• Claim members of the SU have political affinity with NUS President Wes Streeting, in a way which has prevented the Union from carrying out their role impartially.

Co-President Nizam Uddin was not elected on a party political mandate. His aim is to represent all SOAS students. Claims of his political affiliations are entirely false.

 

• Claims that the SOAS ACS were not given the opportunity to address their grievances with Wes Streeting himself.

At the start of the Free Education event, before the protest started, the NUS President, in his opening remarks, offered to sit down at the end of the scheduled meeting and have this very discussion. This was ignored.

 

• Claims that the SU Co-President acknowledged his apparent wrongdoing in breaching Union policy in the form of an apology.

This is fallacious. The Co-President of the Students’ Union has not apologised for inviting the NUS President, and refuses to promote a no-platform policy (as per Union policy).  The Union strongly refutes that any policy was breached.

 

• The use of IMAGINED racist quotations to support unsubstantiated claims that amount to defamation of character.

The statement includes FICTIONAL quotations which have no grounding and undermine the entire campaign through its use of racial stereotypes.

 

• Claims that the Students’ Union does not act in the best interests of African students.

The Students’ Union is aware of the diverse sentiments of the African students, and endeavours to do its best to represent and promote all their issues. No official grievances have been put forward to the Union this Academic year from minority students.

 

• The claim that SU Co-President Nizam Uddin was witness to an act involving the Anti-Racism Officer.

Co-President Nizam Uddin was NOT in the room at the time of this incident.

 

• The confusing and mis-worded text of the statement that results in baffling claims such as describing the BNP as ‘anti-racist’

 

 

The SOAS Students’ Union is open to criticism; however, it is expected to be constructive and respectful in its nature. Criticism is an essential process to improve the representative capacity of the SOAS SU for its students. It is therefore a great shame that the “Enuff is Enuff” campaign has issued statements that prevent the issues from being dealt with through the appropriate channels.

 

Furthermore, it is frustrating that the statement in question was endorsed by the SOAS ACS and one of our Black Officers, especially as it has an aggressive and negative tone and attacks the union and individuals within it without using factually correct information.  

 

We hope this matter can be resolved quickly and respectfully, and we can get back to working together for and on behalf of students.

 

Co-Presidents Nizam, Marya and Ben

SOAS Students’ Union

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