The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has highlighted serious concerns over barriers to free speech and has published guidance for universities and students organising events to empower them to protect and promote this vital human right.
Professor Steven Greer, Professor of Human Rights in the Bristol Law School, gave evidence to the committee following his research into the Government's controversial anti-terrorism Prevent strategy at universities. He concluded that opposition to Prevent in the higher education sector rests almost entirely upon myth, misinformation, misrepresentation, and misconception.
The Committee's report, published yesterday [27 March], found that safe-space policies, originally intended to ensure that minority or vulnerable groups felt secure, were being used by some people to seek to prevent the free speech of others whose views they disagreed with.
It also identified problems with overly cautious student unions worried about breaking the rules; unduly complicated guidance from the Charity Commission, which regulates students' unions; and fear and confusion surrounding the Prevent strategy.
Professor Greer said: "The JCHR has produced a very professional and balanced report. I’m particularly gratified that it 'strongly endorses' the controversial Prevent strategy in universities.
"I also agree with the recommendation that an independent inquiry should be conducted into how the programme is being implemented in order, amongst other things, to address the fear and confusion about what the Prevent duty entails, which the Committee identifies as a particular problem in this context."
The Committee repeated its call for an independent review of the Prevent duty. This review should include consideration of its impact on free speech in universities, particularly on Muslim students but also on students of other faiths or no religious faiths.
Harriet Harman MP, Chair of the Committee, said: "Freedom of speech within the law should mean just that – and it is vital in universities.
"Evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights showed that there is a problem of inhibition of free speech in universities.
"While media reporting has focussed on students inhibiting free speech – and in our report we urge universities to take action to prevent that – free speech is also inhibited by university bureaucracy and restrictive guidance from the Charity Commission.
"We want students themselves to know their rights to free speech and that's why we've issued a guide for students today."
More information about the Joint Select Committee's report into free speech at universities is available on the Parliament website.