Protect Bahraini Students' Right to Study in the UK

We urge the Students Unions of Birkbeck, University of Salford and University of Huddersfield and all other Student Unions concerned to take all necessary measures, including lobbying the university management, to ensure that Bahraini students who have had their scholarships and financial support revoked by their government are able to carry on studying in the UK without fear of deportation and with all the financial support necessary to continue their studies.

A number of Bahraini students who study in Britain have had their scholarships and financial support revoked by their government. They are accused of plotting to bring down the Bahraini regime because they have protested in Britain.

Without financial support the students are unable to pay their fees or cost of living and are in danger of losing their student visas. They would be forced to abandon their studies and return to Bahrain.

The Bahraini regime and occupying forces from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are engaged in a widespread clampdown on democracy protestors, documented by Human Rights Watch among others. There have already been cases of returning international students being arrested and disappeared upon arrival at the airport.

We believe that as students and non students who stand in solidarity with the people of Bahrain, it is our duty to defend Bahraini students in Britain and their right to study and protest without fear.