Wednesday 13th December, Committee Room 4a, Palace of
Westminster 3.15pm
There have been many reports of speakers facing opposition
from students in recent years for their views, including
campaigners like Peter Tatchell and Linda Bellos.
Both these campaigners will be appearing amongst a panel of
witnesses in front of the Joint Committee on Human Rights in a
public evidence session on Wednesday giving their views on free
speech in universities.
Likely areas of discussion include whether there should be a
concern about attempts to ban speakers, the new role of the
Office for Students in helping Universities uphold their
statutory duty to ensure free speech and what recent
disputes tell us about the boundaries of free speech. The
panel, which also includes journalist Jane Fae, a student from
Kings College London and Helen Belcher, Director of TransMedia
Watch, will be asked whether Universities and student unions
should also consider protecting the wellbeing of students when
inviting speakers whose views may be controversial.
MPs and Peers on the Committee (which is
Chaired by
MP) will be putting these questions to the
panel as part of their ongoing
inquiry on the subject, for which they are still
inviting evidence via their website until
15th December.
Witnesses at 3.15pm:
- Jane Fae, freelance journalist
- Linda Bellos, OBE.
- Peter Tatchell, Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
- Alexandra Tate, President, Reproductive and Sexual Health
Society, King’s College
- Helen Belcher, Director, Trans Media Watch
