Student Rights - Tackling Extremism on Campus

Student Rights - Tackling Extremism on Campus describes itself as a "a non-partisan group dedicated to supporting equality, democracy and freedom from extremism on university campuses". It was founded in June 2009.

Links to the Henry Jackson Society

London Student reported in April 2010:

James Jacobs, a SOAS student who interned at Student Rights’ offices, admitted that group’s former offices had been shared with the Henry Jackson Society, but said he believed there was no direct link between the groups.

However, London Student has learnt that when LSE Students’ Union – which charges a fee for external groups to have a place at Freshers Fair – received payment for a stall booked under Student Rights’ name last year, it came from the Henry Jackson Society’s bank account.

According to his Standpoint bio, "Raheem Kassam manages the counter-radicalisation pressure group 'Student Rights' from within the Henry Jackson Society."

Astroturfing accusations

London Student reported in April 2010:

London Student found no evidence of any Student Rights societies active on University of London campuses, calling in to question the legitimacy of their claim to have “student members”.

Student Rights were initially denied a stall at SOAS Freshers Fair, because sabbatical officers could not see what student service was being offered. After an offer of payment was refused, because SOAS has a no-pay policy, student James Jacobs was encouraged to collect enough signatures to register as a society. He told London Student that the group therefore exists “nominally” but has “never met”.

People

• Raheem Kassam - National Director

Advisory Board

• Jim Fitzpatrick MP
• Robert Halfon MP
• Denis McShane MP
• Daniel Johnson
• Dr Alan Mendoza
• Shiraz Maher
• Brian Brivati
• Ben Ramm
• Alex Radzyner

External Resources

• Student Rights website
• Hilary Aked, ‘Student Rights’ group exposed, London Student, 1 March 2010.
• Another Decent Front?, Aaronovitch Watch, 11 October 2010.