The UK denies Palestinian student Dana Abuqamar freedom of speech

As the pro-Palestine protests continue to grow worldwide so do the government’s efforts to silence the voices of those speaking out. Such as in Dana Abuqamar’s case, a Palestinian woman studying law in the UK who had her visa revoked and her sponsorship canceled in the final year of her law degree at the University of Manchester.

Dana Abuqamar has been wrongly labeled a “threat to national security” after she said in a TV interview: “This is the first time Gaza is actively resisting in 16 years, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience we are in fear of how Israel will react but we are also full of pride.”

The media blew Abuqamar’s comments out of proportion and took her words out of context. In a country, where freedom of speech is supposedly everyone’s right it is incredibly hypocritical to then punish someone for defending her country.

Instead of the UK Home Office wasting money, time, and effort on a court hearing to try and deport Dana Abuqamar, we advise that they support students who have spent thousands of pounds to study in the UK and recognize the benefits people like Dana Abuqamar bring to Britain.

We also insist such institutions stop jumping to the conclusion that Muslims are terrorists and a threat to national security. Instead, we advise them to educate themselves on what is happening overseas and tear away from Western and Islamophobic biases.

Rather than taking their current approach, in which they attempt to force students into silence through court proceedings and threats of deportation, the government and educational facilities should fulfill their duties to provide support.

Universities and bodies in power must focus on aiding Palestinian students who are experiencing overwhelming grief as their country, family, and friends live through the genocide inflicted by Israel.

It is everyone’s right to express themselves, as Abuqamar did in the televised interview. The words she used showed that she was proud of her country, and in no way indicated that she has any affiliation or support for terrorist organizations or attacks.

Not only has this ordeal been incredibly stressful for Dana Abuqamar, but she has also lost the opportunity to finish her law degree. We demand that the University of Manchester comply with their obligation as educators and grant Dana Abuqamar the right to finish her studies.

Politics4Her unequivocally condemns how countries like the UK and the US, are treating people who are using their voices to stand up for Palestinians. We strongly disagree with the treatment of Palestinian immigrants, who are being treated like criminals for simply practicing their rights.