UK: Education Minister debates academic freedom

British Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell hosted a debate with members of the University College Union this month - the first in a series of events designed to create lively discussion on academic freedom. In recent weeks, academics have attacked the government for creating a 'climate of fear' on campus that led to the arrest and release without charge of a Nottingham University student and administrator for printing a copy of the al-Qaida training manual.

Rammell urged academics to stay alert to violent extremism on campus. The Guardian reported that he said extremist violence linked to al-Qaida posed a serious but 'not widespread' threat. Lecturers and members of the public attending the debate blamed the government's foreign policy - particularly the decision to invade Afghanistan and Iraq - and said it was instrumental in provoking terrorist acts from people who were not naturally violent.

Others said the government had created social intolerance and "Islamophobia". Rammell countered by suggesting the plotting for 9/11 took place before the war. He also said the government did not want academics to 'spy' on their students and that the government recognised the need for free, open debate and discussion in all UK universities.

UK: Plans to deport Hicham Yezza cancelled

The Home Office has cancelled plans to deport Hicham Yezza, the University of Nottingham administrator held in detention on immigration charges. His lawyers sought a judicial review and representations were made to the Home Secretary by the University and College Union and the University of Nottingham.

Academics have called for his immediate release but there are reports Yezza is being continuously moved between detention facilities against his will. The 30-year old Algerian was detained after being found in possession of an al-Qaida training manual he had been given by an MA student to print.

After being released without charge, Yezza was re-arrested on immigration charges and was due to be deported back to Algeria, having spent 13 years in the UK. The Guardian said recent events had made him a martyr to academic freedom in the eyes of a growing campaign group of lecturers and students who claimed the government's anti-terror agenda was placing increased pressure on universities to spy on certain members.

CHILE: More protesting students detained

More than 100 students were arrested last week in Santiago, Chile, during protests against a new education law. The students claimed the law did not bring enough reform to the old education system inherited from the country's military regime. Xinhua news agency reported that many students believe the education system had been consistently abused by the government.

Hundreds of students have already been arrested during the weeks-long protests attended by thousands of high school and university students in major cities across Chile. A national strike of teachers was planned last week, with teachers calling on parents to support them by not sending their children to school. Chilean Education Minister Monica Jimenez, however, said the government was not prepared to hold talks.

ISRAEL: Restrictions on Gaza Fulbright students eased

Israel has allowed four out of seven Palestinians who were awarded prestigious US fellowships to leave the Gaza Strip to apply for visas to the US, Reuters reports. Israel allowed the four Fulbright students to travel to the US consulate in Jerusalem for visa interviews. They will return to Gaza and remain there until their visas are finalised.

According to Gisha, the Legal Centre for Freedom of Movement, three Fulbright students have yet to receive Israeli approval to travel to the consulate. Israel has enforced stricter rules since the Hamas Islamist group took over the area nearly a year ago and gives few Palestinians, other than some who are gravely ill, permission to leave.

* Jonathan Travis is programme officer for the Network for Education and Academic Rights
(NEAR).

The NEAR site