As international students at SOAS, we are deeply angered by SOAS’s repressive actions against the Palestine Society. On 19th October, we witnessed how SOAS called the police to prevent students from delivering a public speech in support of Palestine outside the campus, leaving us deeply traumatised.
Being international students who have already suffered from the unfair burden of tuition fees, visa fees, and medical surcharge, we endure the inequality of British education system and the violence of immigration system. We chose to study at SOAS, expecting it to be a solid ground for anti-colonial and anti-imperial education and actions, not a hypocritical machine that oppresses freedom of expression and ignores humanitarian crises.
We strongly demand SOAS:
- Revoke all the suspension and warning sanctions against society students;
- Stop collaborating with the police;
- Ensure freedom of speech for students and staff on campus.
Ignoring the human rights crisis in Gaza is unacceptable.
Cooperation with the police is unacceptable.
Oppression of freedom of speech is unacceptable.
In Solidarity,
International Students at SOAS
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