Freedom of Speech within the Law
The University has been clear and unambiguous about the particular importance of freedom of speech, but this has to be within the law. The Vice-Chancellor published a statement on our website about this issue last October. More detailed information has also been published on the University’s website.
The University of Essex is committed to enabling people to speak freely within the law. We have processes that allow for difficult and sometimes uncomfortable conversations to take place on our campuses. Students and staff can invite speakers, hold events or organise rallies through our Speaker Code of Practice. Our authorisation processes help us uphold freedom of speech within the law and support activities on campus in a planned manner, enabling events to take place in a way that safeguards the health and safety of all members of our campus community and for the University to discharge its legal obligations. There is no right for individuals who are not members of our community to invite themselves onto our campuses, or to hold meetings and events without the University’s approval.
An event has been advertised by Socialist.Net to take place on our University campus. It is not organised by a University of Essex student or staff member and no request was made to the University to hold the meeting and rally on our campus. We have written to Socialist.Net informing them that the event should not go ahead. Bryn Morris our Registrar and Secretary has also informed staff and students that the University has the same expectations of behaviour that apply to any events taking place on campus, whether authorised or not.
In view of the nature of the proposed event, it is appropriate to say that in the UK, support or promotion of any proscribed organisations, which includes Hamas, is likely to constitute a violation of UK law, as well as the University's own policies. We have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia. The University has adopted and published its support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definitions of antisemitism and the University’s Zero-Tolerance Policy and our Code of Student Conduct set shared standards of expected behaviour across the University community, including examples of behaviours that could constitute harassment or victimisation. In line with our policy, any incident found to be motivated by hostility or prejudice that may also constitute a crime, will be reported to the Police to investigate whether UK law has been broken.
The University of Essex has and always will be a place where difficult and sometimes uncomfortable conversations can take place that may be objectionable or offensive, but lawful. Freedom of speech within the law is an essential part of academic and university life, and flourishes where there is tolerance of, and respect for, a wide range of views and beliefs. Our actions in securing and promoting freedom of expression are balanced with our responsibilities to ensure activities undertaken on our campuses are legal and to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Chris Oldham, Acting Registrar and Secretary