Terrorism, Freedom of Speech and Dealing with the Police

On Boxing day it emerged that an act of terrorism had been attempted on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in the US. It was later confirmed that the suspected terrorist, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, was a former international student of UCL (University College London) between 2005 and 2008. It subsequently emerged that he had acted as President of the Islamic Society at UCL SU in 06/07.

There has been focus on the suggestion that he was “radicalised” whilst in the UK with some commentators arguing that UK universities do not do enough to clamp down on violent extremism in HEIs.

An update on the issues arising out of this case and wider issues surrounding the prevention of violent extremism for students' unions can now be found here:

http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/SPB_2010Terror2.pdf

In addition NUS has had numerous reports of Students’ Unions (SUs) being asked by the police to provide information about their members, such as membership

records of clubs and societies. NUS is very concerned about this development. A briefing developed in conjunction with human rights group Liberty can be found here:

http://resource.nusonline.co.uk/media/resource/SPB_2010Terror3.pdf

NUS released a previous briefing on the issues at the end of December which can be found here:

http://www.officeronline.co.uk/news/276984.aspx