Hands off Hamish-
Donation protected
--------------------------------------------------Update 14th August----------------------------------
Hello everyone!
We are bringing this update to everyone now in the hope that we are into the final stretch of the fundraising. Here is what has been happening since the last update:
Since Hamish’s disciplinary appeal hearing on September 2018 Hamish received a ‘completion of procedures’ letter which formalises that the internal process is now finished and authorises an appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). The appeal which Hamish submitted was partly upheld but still resolved that Hamish was to make an apology and put in place an, albeit shorter, still grossly unreasonable suspension. So Hamish will be instructing lawyers to prepare the appeal for the OIA.
Hamish’s complaints against the lecturer who assaulted him have not been followed up and the school has not been in touch with Hamish to discuss academic continuation- despite his suspension now being over and Hamish receiving assurances that his academic continuation would not be impacted by the disciplinary. It would suggest that the school has completely forgotten about his case - but we certainly haven't!
The deadline for submission to the OIA is October 31st. We hope to have all the money together by the beginning of October at the absolute latest.
Thank you very much for your continued support.
Hands off Hamish Campaign
------------------------------------------------------ Previous Update-------------------------------------------------------
Following Hamish's rehearing SOAS has decided to uphold the charges. After a number of procedural missteps it is clear that the School is adamant in falsely persecuting students and that it is not possible to expect the institution to carry-out a free and unbiased process. The only option left is to take the matter to the Office of Independent Adjudicators (OIA) where all of SOAS' malicious treatment of Hamish will be laid bare.
To help with the legal costs for putting together the case and we need more legal funds, particularly as the School continues to withhold key pieces of evidence, including the CCTV that clearly shows that Hamish was the victim of violent assault at the hands of a member of staff. SOAS claims that they unable to share the video due to data protection, but this is patently false because all that is required for them to do it is blur the faces of other protesters and people in the video.
The fact that this process has dragged on for over seven months and that Hamish is unable to complete his studies, the impact the process has had on his mental health, and the gross miscarriage of justice is a reminder that when fighting structures of power grassroot solidarity is key. With the possibility of further industrial action by the UCU and UNISION regarding pay disputes and pensions, it is important that universities are held to account and that they cannot get away with intimidating and persecuting activists. The fight for free education, fair compensation for labour and labour rights needs is facing its strongest challenge in years and we need to stand together to demonstrate that senior managers and UUK cannot and will not get way with decimating our universities at the alter of profit!
We thank you for your continued support.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My name is Hamish Anderson. I am a student and an activist at SOAS studying for a BA in Music and History. I am subject to disciplinary proceedings by SOAS University. I believe that the disciplinary hearing was unfair. I have had to resort to funding legal representation to appeal the disciplinary action against me. My friends have helped me cover the cost of legal representation and I am looking for help to reimburse me and my friends.
On the 16 of March 2018 I, along with other students, held a peaceful protest outside SOAS in solidarity with the lecturers’ strike over a pension dispute. Sadly a few lecturers chose not to participate in the strike and became aggressive towards students when they tried to cross the picket line. During the protest I believe was a victim of verbal threats and physical assault by a member of staff. Despite being assaulted myself at the demonstration, I later discovered that two members of staff have separately filed complaints to SOAS University alleging that I had assaulted them. I am very upset by these allegations and I strongly deny them. I participated in the strike action to show solidarity with lecturers and did not assault anyone.
As a result of the allegations made against me, SOAS commenced disciplinary action. Following, in my view, a biased and unfair disciplinary hearing, SOAS have banned me from accessing university buildings save for attending my graduation ceremony and for sitting exams. I have several modules to complete before I am able to graduate and need access to facilities at SOAS in order to complete my studies.
I have found the process following the allegations made against me very stressful. As a result of these allegations I have found myself the subject of unwanted media attention which has been very stressful for me and for my family, who have also faced press intrusion.
If left unchallenged, the disciplinary action will not only disrupt my studies but could potentially cause future problems for me when seeking employment. I also believe that appealing the disciplinary hearing is important to preserving and defending student activism within institutions such as SOAS. I was lawful participating in a peaceful demonstration and I feel that I have been unduly punished for exercising my rights to protest and freedom of assembly.
I have instructed lawyers to help me appeal the disciplinary decision. Unfortunately legal aid is not available for this type of challenge. My friends have helped me out with funding legal representation. We are all students with limited funds and crippling student debt. I am looking to cover the costs I have already incurred in appealing, any help you can provide would be grateful received.
Hello everyone!
We are bringing this update to everyone now in the hope that we are into the final stretch of the fundraising. Here is what has been happening since the last update:
Since Hamish’s disciplinary appeal hearing on September 2018 Hamish received a ‘completion of procedures’ letter which formalises that the internal process is now finished and authorises an appeal to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). The appeal which Hamish submitted was partly upheld but still resolved that Hamish was to make an apology and put in place an, albeit shorter, still grossly unreasonable suspension. So Hamish will be instructing lawyers to prepare the appeal for the OIA.
Hamish’s complaints against the lecturer who assaulted him have not been followed up and the school has not been in touch with Hamish to discuss academic continuation- despite his suspension now being over and Hamish receiving assurances that his academic continuation would not be impacted by the disciplinary. It would suggest that the school has completely forgotten about his case - but we certainly haven't!
The deadline for submission to the OIA is October 31st. We hope to have all the money together by the beginning of October at the absolute latest.
Thank you very much for your continued support.
Hands off Hamish Campaign
------------------------------------------------------ Previous Update-------------------------------------------------------
Following Hamish's rehearing SOAS has decided to uphold the charges. After a number of procedural missteps it is clear that the School is adamant in falsely persecuting students and that it is not possible to expect the institution to carry-out a free and unbiased process. The only option left is to take the matter to the Office of Independent Adjudicators (OIA) where all of SOAS' malicious treatment of Hamish will be laid bare.
To help with the legal costs for putting together the case and we need more legal funds, particularly as the School continues to withhold key pieces of evidence, including the CCTV that clearly shows that Hamish was the victim of violent assault at the hands of a member of staff. SOAS claims that they unable to share the video due to data protection, but this is patently false because all that is required for them to do it is blur the faces of other protesters and people in the video.
The fact that this process has dragged on for over seven months and that Hamish is unable to complete his studies, the impact the process has had on his mental health, and the gross miscarriage of justice is a reminder that when fighting structures of power grassroot solidarity is key. With the possibility of further industrial action by the UCU and UNISION regarding pay disputes and pensions, it is important that universities are held to account and that they cannot get away with intimidating and persecuting activists. The fight for free education, fair compensation for labour and labour rights needs is facing its strongest challenge in years and we need to stand together to demonstrate that senior managers and UUK cannot and will not get way with decimating our universities at the alter of profit!
We thank you for your continued support.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My name is Hamish Anderson. I am a student and an activist at SOAS studying for a BA in Music and History. I am subject to disciplinary proceedings by SOAS University. I believe that the disciplinary hearing was unfair. I have had to resort to funding legal representation to appeal the disciplinary action against me. My friends have helped me cover the cost of legal representation and I am looking for help to reimburse me and my friends.
On the 16 of March 2018 I, along with other students, held a peaceful protest outside SOAS in solidarity with the lecturers’ strike over a pension dispute. Sadly a few lecturers chose not to participate in the strike and became aggressive towards students when they tried to cross the picket line. During the protest I believe was a victim of verbal threats and physical assault by a member of staff. Despite being assaulted myself at the demonstration, I later discovered that two members of staff have separately filed complaints to SOAS University alleging that I had assaulted them. I am very upset by these allegations and I strongly deny them. I participated in the strike action to show solidarity with lecturers and did not assault anyone.
As a result of the allegations made against me, SOAS commenced disciplinary action. Following, in my view, a biased and unfair disciplinary hearing, SOAS have banned me from accessing university buildings save for attending my graduation ceremony and for sitting exams. I have several modules to complete before I am able to graduate and need access to facilities at SOAS in order to complete my studies.
I have found the process following the allegations made against me very stressful. As a result of these allegations I have found myself the subject of unwanted media attention which has been very stressful for me and for my family, who have also faced press intrusion.
If left unchallenged, the disciplinary action will not only disrupt my studies but could potentially cause future problems for me when seeking employment. I also believe that appealing the disciplinary hearing is important to preserving and defending student activism within institutions such as SOAS. I was lawful participating in a peaceful demonstration and I feel that I have been unduly punished for exercising my rights to protest and freedom of assembly.
I have instructed lawyers to help me appeal the disciplinary decision. Unfortunately legal aid is not available for this type of challenge. My friends have helped me out with funding legal representation. We are all students with limited funds and crippling student debt. I am looking to cover the costs I have already incurred in appealing, any help you can provide would be grateful received.
Organizer
Imran Jamal
Organizer
England
