Ban on student pro-life societies at Strathclyde repealed
from SPUC:
The clause was a form of direct discrimination against the group of students.
In a victory for freedom of speech at universities, the University of Strathclyde Students Association (USSA) has voted to remove the clause in their “No platform to anti-choice!” policy which had prevented pro-life groups from affiliating with the union and being active on campus.
A ban on “anti-choice” groups
The policy, which was introduced in December 2016 in response to attempts to affiliate a pro-life society, stated: “Anti-choice groups actively use intimidation and fear tactics to harass people entering abortion clinics.
“The establishment of anti-choice groups at Ussa would directly contravene equal opportunities policy by giving them a platform to harass students. This in turn violates their safe space.
“Allowing an anti-choice group to form would be a barrier to freedom, equality and body autonomy for those with uteruses on campus.”
Challenging discrimination
However, in March 2018, Strathclyde Students for Life (SSfl) , challenged the legality of the no-platforming policy, arguing that USSA had violated section 10 of the Equality Act 2010 by directly discriminating against a group of students based on their beliefs. SSfL also argued that the Students Association had violated the students’ right to Freedom of Expression, which is protected under Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights. Following the legal complaint, the Board of Trustees at USSA came to the conclusion that the clause was a form of direct discrimination against the group of students and that such discrimination was contrary to the equal opportunities policy of the Students Association.
In order for the no-platforming clause to be removed from Union policy, the matter then had to be brought to Student Parliament, who voted to remove it on Tuesday night.
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