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Free2Speak: Email your MSP


The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), together with the Alliance of Pro-Life Students, have produced a new report detailing the censorship of pro-life university students across Scotland. In the fight against campus censorship, Free2Speak is Scotland’s first comprehensive analysis of campus free speech. This report follows a 2018 report by Westminster’s Joint Committee on Human Rights titled ‘Freedom of Speech in Universities’, which highlighted a clear and widespread "problem of free speech" on campuses across the UK. The report makes frequent reference to the fact that: "many of the incidents in which free speech is restricted” involved students who hold a pro-life viewpoint.

Free2Speak marks every Scottish university based on their policies towards pro-life students, societies, and outside speakers, as well as the lived experiences of students.

The marking system was based on the traditional university marking system which is applied to students. And it reveals the many ways in which pro-life students have been silenced and discriminated against.

The University of Edinburgh and Stirling University secured fail marks on the basis that the students’ unions refused to affiliate pro-life societies.

The report also details the struggles and discrimination many pro-life student groups have encountered in order to be recognised by their university and students’ union - including at the University of Glasgow and the University of Aberdeen, where students had to pursue legal action before being affiliated as a society.


We believe universities should be bastions of free speech. Universities can and should be places where students encounter differing views, question firmly held beliefs and grapple with challenging ideas. Indeed, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. It reinforces all other human rights, allowing society to develop and progress.

Therefore, we encourage you to email your MSP about this important issue.

It is vital the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament address the censorship epidemic our universities are facing. We would therefore call on the Scottish Parliament to investigate and report on censorship within Scottish Universities.

Enter your post code below to find your MSPs

 
  • Each of the above MSPs will be sent this email:

  • Dear [MSP Name],

    I am writing to draw your attention to a new report called Free2Speak.

    The report, Scotland’s first analysis of campus censorship, was researched and compiled by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children and the Alliance of Pro-Life Students

    It details the many ways in which pro-life university students across Scotland have been discriminated against and censored. Almost every pro-life student society in a Scottish university has had to fight for the right to simply exist – some even having to pursue legal action. This blatant disregard for freedom of speech in our universities is unacceptable.

    This report follows a 2018 report by Westminster’s Joint Committee on Human Rights titled ‘Freedom of Speech in Universities’, which highlighted a clear and widespread "problem of free speech" on campuses across the UK. The report makes frequent reference to the fact that: "many of the incidents in which free speech is restricted” involved students who hold a pro-life viewpoint. The Scottish Government should endeavour to undertake a similar investigation.

    Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. It reinforces all other human rights, allowing society to develop and progress. 

    You can read more about Free2Speak here: https://www.free2speak.uk/

    It is of great importance that the Scottish Parliament investigate campus censorship and act to protect the freedom of speech of university students, in line with the Equalities Act 2010. I look forward to hearing from you about the ways that you intend to protect and promote this important right for students.

    Kind Regards,

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