NUS adopts EU's definition of Antisemitism, including recognising New Antisemitism, that is manifestations of antisemitism in relation to Israel.

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801 Anti-Racism

MOTION: 801
Heading: Anti-Racism: Challenging Racism on Campus and in our Communities
Submitted by: Lancaster University, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield University, University and Bradford University
Basket 1
Speech For: Bradford University (2 mins)
Speech Against: Free (2 mins)
Summation: Free (0.5 min)

Conference Believes:

1. Racism continues to rise across society, endangering the welfare of all Black and Jewish students.
2. Last year, racist attacks increased by 7%, with the racist murder of student Anthony Walker a stark reminder of the direct threat to students. Police figures have shown Arabs are 13 times, African Caribbean's ten times and Jewish people three times more likely to suffer racist attacks than white Europeans. Every such attack must be condemned and students' unions should take steps to prevent them.
3. The fascist British National Party (BNP) has gained record support on the back of growing racism and increasingly seeks a presence on campus. The BNP stands in the traditions of Hitler's Nazis, calls for an all-white Britain, denies the holocaust and its members are closely linked to violence.
4. Politicians and some media have recently attacked multiculturalism. A prominent British politician has cited multiculturalism and immigration as “Berlin Walls” of division while failing to address the racism that many communities face. The freedom to dress as you choose including for religious reasons is a basic civil right. Students of all faiths – and none- also have the right to organise through student societies.
5. Recent political attacks on mainstream Mulsim organisations, making parallels with the BNP, are unfounded and provide dangerous legitimisation of a fascist party. Racist scapegoating, such as calls for universities to spy on ‘Asian looking student’, will not only add to discrimination but undermine attempts to work with communities to isolate those who support terrorism. The recent agreement between the TUC and the Muslim Council of Britain to work together to promote understanding and tackle discrimination is welcome and similar initiatives should be taken by students’ unions.
6. A recent DfES study found Black students are less likely to get first class degrees than their white counterparts when all other factors are equal. Many institutions are failing to meet their requirements under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act to actively challenge racism.

Conference Resolves :

1. In recent years a number of asylum seeker students like Flores Sukula have faced deportation.
2. The freedom to dress as you choose including for religious reasons is a basic civil right. Students of all faiths - and none - also have the right to organise through student societies.
3. Racist scapegoating, such as calls for universities to spy on 'Asian looking students', will not only add to discrimination but undermine attempts to work with communities to isolate those who support terrorism. The recent agreement between the TUC and the Muslim Council of Britain to work together to promote understanding and tackle discrimination is welcome and similar initiatives should be taken by students' unions.
4. Educational institutions are required by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act to promote racial equality including by enforcing an up to date race equality policy.
5. In recent years, a number of asylum seeker students like Flores Sukula have faced deportation.

Return to main article NUS adopts EU Definition of Antisemitism