London: UK universities have been asked to report students 'vulnerable' to radicalization to police. The vulnerable term is being defined as depressed and isolated and this is part of the 'prevent' policy in effect by the police to fight terrorism. The prevent policy was announced in June.
Police and local authorities are reported to be visiting universities gathering the information. Following this the student unions and lecturers have expressed their unease on this move as a one that could affect the privacy of students and also expressed concern over the student liberties. The National Union of Students have asked universities not to inform details to police unless a valid warrant is produced. The Union of universities and colleges have made it clear that they will not police their students and also take any steps that might erode the bond between university and students.
Reports mention that Prevent officers met London University's goldsmiths college students' union president and inquired about Muslim students and the institution's Islamic society.
"We were appalled to have Prevent officers asking us to effectively spy on our Muslim students," the union president said. He described this "morally repugnant". He asked, "Why are Prevent not also telling us to refer on students who have irrational hatred of Islam?"
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