Universities have a role to play in the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism. But they must also be allowed to balance this against their duty to promote freedom of speech within the law.
Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 UK universities have a statutory duty to have 'due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism'. It is important that universities are supported in meeting this duty but that they also remain spaces where controversial and sometimes offensive ideas can be explored and debated.
Securing freedom of speech within the law - we are working:
To influence government to adopt a proportionate, reasonable and balanced approach to the role it asks universities to play in the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism
To ensure that universities remain tolerant and intellectually stimulating spaces in which controversial and offensive ideas can be debated and challenged and freedom of speech within the law is secured
To support universities in improving and sharing their expertise in preventing terrorism and violent extremism
In
achieving these objectives, we work with a number of government departments and
organisations including the Office for Students who monitor providers
compliance in this area in England.
You can find more information about the higher education sectors
duties in this area as well as guidance and training on the Safe Campus Communities website.
Guidance is also available on Freedom expression for higher education providers and students' unions in England and Wales from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
