Students say the views of the controversial speakers are not valid debate at the Oxford Union which got underway after being delayed when protesters forced their way into the building.
BNP leader Nick Griffin and controversial historian David Irving were invited to talk about free speech. Thirty protesters pushed their way into the hall to stage a sit-down protest at the debating table. Earlier, 500 people staged a sit-down demonstration outside the gates of the building, preventing about half the students due to attend from getting in. Anti-racism campaigners said the two men should not be given a platform to speak at the debate in St Michael's Street, Oxford. Protesters chanted anti-fascist slogans and jeered "shame on you".
Martin Mcluskey, from the Oxford University Students' Union, said: "What we are doing here tonight at the Oxford Union is putting them on a platform that will give them legitimacy and credibility. It is as if we are saying that we agree with what they are saying and that we think it is valid." Novelist Anne Atkins, who is participating in the debate, said controversial views should not be silenced but exposed. When you say that the majority view is always right I think that is a deeply dangerous and disturbing thing to say. I am not for a moment saying that I agree with David Irving or Nick Griffin but I am saying that once you start having truth by democracy you risk silencing some of the most important prophets we have ever had."
Tory MP Dr Julian Lewis has resigned his membership of the Oxford debating union in protest describing the two men as "a couple of scoundrels" in his resignation letter.
Griffin has repeatedly insisted the BNP is not a racist group. He was convicted in 1998 for incitement to racial hatred for material denying the Holocaust. Irving was imprisoned for three years after pleading guilty to Holocaust denial in Austria.
Freedom of speech should not be used as a platform to propogate the views of such men which are clearly fascist and racist and Oxford Student Union should be ashamed of itself.
Support UAF - Unite Against Fascism
26 Nov 2007
Brown getting blurred!
It's been a rought two months for Gordon. What with the general election that never was. The tactics were there and they initially shook the Tories but there was no exit strategy and it backfired resulting in the reduction in the polls. And then the Northern Rock fiasco showing the financial institution was not that solid. Not very good considering his last job was Chancellor and now we hear that Richard Branson who has his finger in the majority of privatised public transport is likely to come to the rescue building his empire up even further. Then there was the slipped disk fiasco. Who in their right mind can believe that so much personal date can be downloaded onto disk and sent off on a van? And now an enquiry into donations resulting in the resignation of the Labour Party General Secretary. Come on Gordon, get your house in order.
LGBT Australians look forward to Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras has come early as confirmation that not only that Labor won the general election but Howard has lost his seat . Gay rights have been a theme in this race. The announcement of a general election prompted evangelical groups in the country to begin campaigning against gay equality. The Labour party took the line that marriage is for heterosexuals only, and would grant legal concessions to homosexuals, but not the legal status of marriage. "On the institution of marriage itself, our view is between a man and woman and it's just been our traditional, continuing view," Mr Rudd said in October. Labour said that they will support changes to the law to remove inequities in the tax and benefits system that discriminate against same-sex couples. A report in June by Australia's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) recommended that 58 laws need to be changed to grant gay, bisexual and lesbian Australians equal rights.
Australia's new government will issue a formal apology to Aborigines for the abuses they suffered in the past, prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd has promised. Mr Rudd, whose Labor Party swept to power in an election on Saturday, said the apology would come early in his first parliamentary term. Indigenous Australians remain an impoverished minority, with a much lower life expectancy than the rest of the population. Thousands of Aboriginal children were handed over to white families under Australian government assimilation policies from 1915 to 1969.
Sydney Mardi Gras will take place Saturday 9 February - Saturday 1 March 2008
Australia's new government will issue a formal apology to Aborigines for the abuses they suffered in the past, prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd has promised. Mr Rudd, whose Labor Party swept to power in an election on Saturday, said the apology would come early in his first parliamentary term. Indigenous Australians remain an impoverished minority, with a much lower life expectancy than the rest of the population. Thousands of Aboriginal children were handed over to white families under Australian government assimilation policies from 1915 to 1969.
Sydney Mardi Gras will take place Saturday 9 February - Saturday 1 March 2008
24 Nov 2007
The Sun is Shining Down Under
After 11 years of a conservative Government, australia can now look forward to a new Labor Govenment after Howard conceded to Kevin Rudd in the election and it also looks like Howard will also lose his own seat. The Australian Labor Party has spoken in favour of lgbt rights and faced attacks from conservatives and the church. I know speaking to many LGBT Labor colleagues in Australia, they were extremely cncerned about the coninued attacks on trade union, workers rights and equality that they had been forced to endure over the past decade. The electorate showed it's time for change and now it's time to celebrate.
BBC News: PM Howard concedes Australia poll
Defending a woman's right to choose - Abortion Rights
Following the Queen’s speech on 6th November the government’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (formerly the Human Tisue and Embryos Bill) has had its First and Second Readings in the House of Lords on 7th and 19th November respectively. Although the Bill itself does not address abortion, it is expected that anti-abortion Peers and/or MPs may table a number of damaging amendments to restrict women’s rights to abortion. In the Lords Second reading debate a stream of anti-abortion Peers took part in the debate and attacked current rights with pro-choice Peers speaking in defence of the 1967 Abortion Act. Pro-choice MPs are planning to table amendments to improve the law during the course of the Bill in the Commons. Amendments in the LordsAnti-abortion amendments that are anticipated are likely to include:
· Reducing the abortion time limit from 24 weeks to 22, 20 or even 13 weeks. Any such measures would have appalling consequences for the women who need later abortion.
Particularly over 20 weeks this is a small number of women but each faces difficult and individual circumstances. Women would be forced against their will to carry on with a pregnancy. Or, if they can afford to, women will travel abroad. Some may try more desperate measures.
· Imposing a ‘cooling off’ period and compulsory counselling for all women seeking abortion. Both measures assume women are not capable of making their own careful decision, creating further distressing delays and adding pressure at what can be a difficult time. We believe women should be trusted with this personal decision.
Amendments in the Lords can be tabled at the Committee stage, which can begin as soon as the second week in December, and also at the Report stage and Third Reading which is expected to take place in January 2008.
Pro-choice Amendments in the CommonsAfter the House of Lords, the Bill will go the House of Commons around February 2008 where amendments to restrict rights are expected again as well as a number of positive amendments to reform the law and improve abortion access for women
These are likely to include:
· Abortion to be available at the request of the pregnant woman within existing legal time limits by removing the need of two doctors’ signatures.
· Abortion services to be subject to the same statutory regulations as other medical services (i.e. ending the need for detailed notification to the Department of Health and certification by doctors of all abortions; and removing the need for premises to be specially licensed by the DOH to carry out abortions).
· Suitably trained nurse practitioners to be allowed to carry out early medical and surgical abortions, in both the NHS and non-NHS sector.
· Ensuring accurate information and non-directive support be available for all women facing an unintended pregnancy.
· The law in Northern Ireland to allow access to abortion commensurate with rights in the rest of the UK.
More detailed information on timetabling and amendments will be known as we go along.
Campaigning. The anti-choice lobby has called upon its supporters to lobby Peers and MPs. They are arranging for a briefing of Peers where Professor Stuart Campbell will show his emotive ‘4D’ scan images. Many Peers and MPs have not yet decided how to vote. They need to hear from pro-choice supporters URGENTLY.
Abortion Rights is lobbying Peers and MPs directly and in alliance with other pro-choice organisations. We will be organising a public initiative for pro-choice supporters to make their voices heard during the course of the Bill's passage in the Lords. Details to follow.
We are also planning a series of public initiatives during the Bill's passage in the Commons, including a lobby of Parliament and public meeting.
You can help by writing directly to your MP TODAY.
A model letter to help with this is below.
The Bill is expected to take only six months to pass through Parliament. This provides a relatively short window of opportunity to mobilise the pro-choice majority and ensure we are successful in opposing any restrictions to the 1967 Abortion Act and extending women’s reproductive rights.
Please speak to your trade union branch, student group, colleagues and friends to ask them to get involved, pass a resolution or organise a discussion or event. Everyone can sign up for updates and action alerts on the Abortion Rights website http://www.abortionrights.org.uk/ or by joining the Facebook group Abortion Rights UK.
Add your voice to the pro-choice majority: http://www.prochoicemajority.org.uk/
Louise Hutchins Campaigns Coordinator, Abortion Rights
WRITE TO YOUR MP!
The time has come for a concerted effort to lobby MPs throughout the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The anti-choice lobby is already very active - MPs are receiving dozens of letters, cards and e-mails. We cannot allow this vociferous minority to dominate the abortion debate.
The most effective and successful way to lobby MPs is to write them a personal letter, ideally in your own words. Handwritten letters have a strong impact on MPs – below is a model letter showing an example of what you could write and some of the points you should raise. Encourage your friends / family / colleagues to write too!
To find out who your MP is and their address go to www.upmystreet.com/commons or call the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000.
Write to them either at their constituency address, if you know it, or at: House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
You can also contact them directly at http://www.writetothem.com/ which is a really useful campaigning website.
To make a lasting impact, meet your MP face-to-face during their weekly surgery. Let them know your concerns about the anti-choice campaign and the importance to defend the time limit and existing law. We can provide evidence based briefings and advice to help prepare your visit.
For more information on the issues to send to your MP download our briefing paper or other resources from the website. You could also point them in the direction of the recent Science and Technology Committee report, or contact Abortion Rights for further information.
Please forward any replies you receive to Abortion Rights to help us build up a picture of parliamentary opinion. You can email us at choice@abortionrights.org.uk or post copies of replies to 18 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL.
MODEL LETTER:
To …………………….MPHouse of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AA
Date:
Dear . . . . . . . . . . . .MP,
I am writing to you about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which is expected to receive amendments on abortion.
Improving abortion law for womenForty years since abortion was legalised in Britain, the majority of public opinion supports the right to choose but women continue to face unnecessary and sometimes distressing barriers to access. These could be easily remedied by reforming the 1967 Abortion Act.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will provide a unique opportunity for MPs to support pro-choice amendments, which are in line with the recommendations of the Commons Science and Technology Committee report further to their enquiry into the scientific advances relating to the 1967 Abortion Act. These will include:
· Abortion to be available at the request of the pregnant woman within existing legal time limits by removing the need of two doctors’ signatures.
· Abortion services to be subject to the same statutory regulations as other medical services (i.e. ending the need for detailed notification to the Department of Health and certification by doctors of all abortions; and removing the need for premises to be specially licensed by the DOH to carry out abortions).
· Suitably trained nurse practitioners to be allowed to carry out early medical and surgical abortions, in both the NHS and non-NHS sector.
· Ensuring accurate information and non-directive support be available for all women facing an unintended pregnancy.
· The law in Northern Ireland to allow access to abortion commensurate with rights in the rest of the UK.
Defending current rightsI also wish to voice my concerns that anti-choice MPs will attempt to restrict women’s abortion rights, including reducing the legal time limit for abortion from 24 weeks to 22, 20 or even 13 weeks. Any such measures would have appalling consequences for the small number of women who need later abortion - each facing very difficult and individual circumstances. Women would be forced against their will to carry on the pregnancy. Or, if they can afford to, women will travel abroad. Some may try more desperate measures.
Other anti-abortion amendments expected would impose a ‘cooling off’ period and compulsory counselling for all women seeking abortion causing further delays and distress.
I urge you to vote against such damaging amendments for women.
As a constituent, I would be grateful if you could let me know your views on these matters. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
(Sender’s signature)
Name Address Postcode
· Reducing the abortion time limit from 24 weeks to 22, 20 or even 13 weeks. Any such measures would have appalling consequences for the women who need later abortion.
Particularly over 20 weeks this is a small number of women but each faces difficult and individual circumstances. Women would be forced against their will to carry on with a pregnancy. Or, if they can afford to, women will travel abroad. Some may try more desperate measures.
· Imposing a ‘cooling off’ period and compulsory counselling for all women seeking abortion. Both measures assume women are not capable of making their own careful decision, creating further distressing delays and adding pressure at what can be a difficult time. We believe women should be trusted with this personal decision.
Amendments in the Lords can be tabled at the Committee stage, which can begin as soon as the second week in December, and also at the Report stage and Third Reading which is expected to take place in January 2008.
Pro-choice Amendments in the CommonsAfter the House of Lords, the Bill will go the House of Commons around February 2008 where amendments to restrict rights are expected again as well as a number of positive amendments to reform the law and improve abortion access for women
These are likely to include:
· Abortion to be available at the request of the pregnant woman within existing legal time limits by removing the need of two doctors’ signatures.
· Abortion services to be subject to the same statutory regulations as other medical services (i.e. ending the need for detailed notification to the Department of Health and certification by doctors of all abortions; and removing the need for premises to be specially licensed by the DOH to carry out abortions).
· Suitably trained nurse practitioners to be allowed to carry out early medical and surgical abortions, in both the NHS and non-NHS sector.
· Ensuring accurate information and non-directive support be available for all women facing an unintended pregnancy.
· The law in Northern Ireland to allow access to abortion commensurate with rights in the rest of the UK.
More detailed information on timetabling and amendments will be known as we go along.
Campaigning. The anti-choice lobby has called upon its supporters to lobby Peers and MPs. They are arranging for a briefing of Peers where Professor Stuart Campbell will show his emotive ‘4D’ scan images. Many Peers and MPs have not yet decided how to vote. They need to hear from pro-choice supporters URGENTLY.
Abortion Rights is lobbying Peers and MPs directly and in alliance with other pro-choice organisations. We will be organising a public initiative for pro-choice supporters to make their voices heard during the course of the Bill's passage in the Lords. Details to follow.
We are also planning a series of public initiatives during the Bill's passage in the Commons, including a lobby of Parliament and public meeting.
You can help by writing directly to your MP TODAY.
A model letter to help with this is below.
The Bill is expected to take only six months to pass through Parliament. This provides a relatively short window of opportunity to mobilise the pro-choice majority and ensure we are successful in opposing any restrictions to the 1967 Abortion Act and extending women’s reproductive rights.
Please speak to your trade union branch, student group, colleagues and friends to ask them to get involved, pass a resolution or organise a discussion or event. Everyone can sign up for updates and action alerts on the Abortion Rights website http://www.abortionrights.org.uk/ or by joining the Facebook group Abortion Rights UK.
Add your voice to the pro-choice majority: http://www.prochoicemajority.org.uk/
Louise Hutchins Campaigns Coordinator, Abortion Rights
WRITE TO YOUR MP!
The time has come for a concerted effort to lobby MPs throughout the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The anti-choice lobby is already very active - MPs are receiving dozens of letters, cards and e-mails. We cannot allow this vociferous minority to dominate the abortion debate.
The most effective and successful way to lobby MPs is to write them a personal letter, ideally in your own words. Handwritten letters have a strong impact on MPs – below is a model letter showing an example of what you could write and some of the points you should raise. Encourage your friends / family / colleagues to write too!
To find out who your MP is and their address go to www.upmystreet.com/commons or call the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000.
Write to them either at their constituency address, if you know it, or at: House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
You can also contact them directly at http://www.writetothem.com/ which is a really useful campaigning website.
To make a lasting impact, meet your MP face-to-face during their weekly surgery. Let them know your concerns about the anti-choice campaign and the importance to defend the time limit and existing law. We can provide evidence based briefings and advice to help prepare your visit.
For more information on the issues to send to your MP download our briefing paper or other resources from the website. You could also point them in the direction of the recent Science and Technology Committee report, or contact Abortion Rights for further information.
Please forward any replies you receive to Abortion Rights to help us build up a picture of parliamentary opinion. You can email us at choice@abortionrights.org.uk or post copies of replies to 18 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL.
MODEL LETTER:
To …………………….MPHouse of CommonsLondonSW1A 0AA
Date:
Dear . . . . . . . . . . . .MP,
I am writing to you about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which is expected to receive amendments on abortion.
Improving abortion law for womenForty years since abortion was legalised in Britain, the majority of public opinion supports the right to choose but women continue to face unnecessary and sometimes distressing barriers to access. These could be easily remedied by reforming the 1967 Abortion Act.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will provide a unique opportunity for MPs to support pro-choice amendments, which are in line with the recommendations of the Commons Science and Technology Committee report further to their enquiry into the scientific advances relating to the 1967 Abortion Act. These will include:
· Abortion to be available at the request of the pregnant woman within existing legal time limits by removing the need of two doctors’ signatures.
· Abortion services to be subject to the same statutory regulations as other medical services (i.e. ending the need for detailed notification to the Department of Health and certification by doctors of all abortions; and removing the need for premises to be specially licensed by the DOH to carry out abortions).
· Suitably trained nurse practitioners to be allowed to carry out early medical and surgical abortions, in both the NHS and non-NHS sector.
· Ensuring accurate information and non-directive support be available for all women facing an unintended pregnancy.
· The law in Northern Ireland to allow access to abortion commensurate with rights in the rest of the UK.
Defending current rightsI also wish to voice my concerns that anti-choice MPs will attempt to restrict women’s abortion rights, including reducing the legal time limit for abortion from 24 weeks to 22, 20 or even 13 weeks. Any such measures would have appalling consequences for the small number of women who need later abortion - each facing very difficult and individual circumstances. Women would be forced against their will to carry on the pregnancy. Or, if they can afford to, women will travel abroad. Some may try more desperate measures.
Other anti-abortion amendments expected would impose a ‘cooling off’ period and compulsory counselling for all women seeking abortion causing further delays and distress.
I urge you to vote against such damaging amendments for women.
As a constituent, I would be grateful if you could let me know your views on these matters. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
(Sender’s signature)
Name Address Postcode
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (Former Human Tissue and Embryo Bill) - Update on Second Reading
Well we knew it was not going to be a smooth ride. First of all the Bill has now changed it's name to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. At its first reading , concerns were raised about the removal of the clause for a need for a father for women accessing assisted reproduction including remarks that children were not accessories and were gifts from God. Further comments included that the absence of Fathers had resuted in an increase in violence and disorder so the lgbt community must be bringing up some pretty well adjusted kids with our non-traditional families. Gay dads unite!
The second reading of the bill took place earlier last week and again there was heavy criticism and opposition to the removal of the reequirement for clinics to consider "the need of that child for a father" before offering assisted reproduction and access to IVF. In fact Lord Brennan who spoke in the debate collapsed moments after from a heart complaint!
The Catholic church has also condemned the Governments recommendation. In a letter to The Times, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said the plans were "profoundly wrong" and undermined "the place of the father in a child's life". Sir Stephen Wall wrote an interesting letter in response titled 'Love or Law?' which opens up the debate about faith and equality. Also see comment from Cath Elliot in the Guardian.
The bill can be read here. To follow the debate red here First reading 08/11/07, Second Reading 19/11/07 (1), (2) and 21/11/07
The debate continues.................
See BBC news articles, Peers attack fatherless bid and Church condemns Lesbian IVF Use
The second reading of the bill took place earlier last week and again there was heavy criticism and opposition to the removal of the reequirement for clinics to consider "the need of that child for a father" before offering assisted reproduction and access to IVF. In fact Lord Brennan who spoke in the debate collapsed moments after from a heart complaint!
The Catholic church has also condemned the Governments recommendation. In a letter to The Times, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said the plans were "profoundly wrong" and undermined "the place of the father in a child's life". Sir Stephen Wall wrote an interesting letter in response titled 'Love or Law?' which opens up the debate about faith and equality. Also see comment from Cath Elliot in the Guardian.
The bill can be read here. To follow the debate red here First reading 08/11/07, Second Reading 19/11/07 (1), (2) and 21/11/07
The debate continues.................
See BBC news articles, Peers attack fatherless bid and Church condemns Lesbian IVF Use
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