Letter from SOAS Director Paul Webley

Dear colleagues

Now that we have reached an agreement with students about a way

forward in the wake of the UK Border Control visit on 12 June, it’s

important to recap and reflect on the progress we have made.

Firstly, I would like to thank all those who sent messages of support

during and after the protest. Thankfully many colleagues are aware

that the allegations being made against SOAS are untrue, most notably

that we had invited immigration officials on to our campus. This is

something that has caused a great deal of concern and anxiety to our

staff, students, stakeholders and peers.

Throughout this entire process SOAS has acted in good faith and in

accordance with the law. SOAS is obliged to co-operate with the

authorities and not breach any law that could lead to prosecution.

Following yesterday’s agreement, I have written to the Home Secretary

requesting that he grants exceptional leave to remain in the UK to

those cleaners who are still being detained. I have also asked for the

immediate return of those who have been deported and exceptional leave

to remain for those forced into hiding following Friday’s events.

I have agreed to open discussions with ISS, and separately with

UNISON, UCU and the SU, to review in detail the events of last Friday

and will discuss the possibility of bringing cleaning services

in-house at the next scheduled meeting of Governing Body. In addition

to this, colleagues will meet with the relevant unions to discuss

health and safety issues relating to immigration visits.

I plan to share my views with other university heads about the wider

implications of the Government's policy on immigration and any likely

impact it may have on our staff and students.

As Director and Principal of SOAS I will continue to work tirelessly

to ensure the success of this institution, and encourage a respectful

exchange of views in an open and constructive manner. In the light of

this week’s protest, we need to reflect and remind ourselves what it

means to be a university, in particular, an institution that prides

itself on being the home of international political debate in the UK.

The events of the past few days have done nothing more than reaffirm

my passion and commitment to this outstanding institution.

I am pleased that we reached an agreement with the protesters and I’m

grateful to the Students’ Union Co-President Nizam Uddin for

facilitating discussions with the group in such an exemplary fashion.

Professor Paul Webley

Director & Principal

Update-liveblogging

statement-yes, once we're gone

will open discussions with ISS

Governing Body-yes as stated below

Amnesty for us - yes

We recognise the contribution of migrant workers

SOAS will call for amnesty for all migrant workers

statement will oonly be signed once we're out

Our revised demands as of 10.30pm last night

Advice needed

Our revised list of demands (unfortunately our computer had a trojan horse which meant we lost the document that we had worked hard on to word water tight so had to re-write it again late last night. We hope the school take it on face value based on the general gist and dont conitune to provaricate over the odd incorrectly worded statement.)

This morning the school responded by saying no to all of them except number

To the SOAS Directorate

SOAS students campaigning in protest against the recent, violent immigration raid that took place on SOAS premises on the morning of 12th June 2009 have occupied the rooms of the SOAS directorate to underscore the seriousness of the matter at hand. The occupying students agree to leave the premises should the below demands be met by the SOAS directorate. We understand that informally the directorship has already agreed to most of these demands pending certain conditions, which have been included in this document.

1. We call on the directorate to request the home secretary to immediately grant exceptional leave to remain to those cleaners who want it, including those detained and those already deported. We demand that in this regard a letter is to be received by the home secretary’s office by midday 17th June 2009. (Answer: Yes but only as soon as is practical ie once the directorate office is vacated-this iis outrageous. They should have done this ANYWAY)

2. We demand that the directorate publish a formal public statement apologising for their role in facilitating the immigration raid and for not informing the relevant unions (UNISON/UCU/SOAS Student Union). This should be published by midday 17th June 2009.
(Answer: NO-illegal)

3. We want an assurance from the directorate that from today, it will not to invite or negotiate in advance entry for immigration officers. We further demand that should SOAS directorate receive notification that an immigration raid is imminent, the directorate should inform the relevant unions (UNISON/UCU/SOAS student union) and discuss with them in regards to the legal issues surrounding the facilitation of immigration raids on SOAS premises. This point should become a part of general SOAS policy. (Answer: NO-illegal)

4. We request that an agenda item be tabled at the next scheduled board of governers meeting to discuss whether all contracted staff should be brought in-house, as a result of the recent news regarding the actions of ISS. We demand that Proffesor Paul Webley, the director of SOAS, should propose and support the view that all SOAS contracted staff should be brought in-house.
(Yes but only cleaning staff)

5. We request an amnesty for all those involved in the occupation of the rooms of the SOAS directorate. (Yes but only if 1) no damage 2) nothing has been read or removed)

Demands

contact: 020 7898 4915 or 07958 034 181

Email: freesoascleaners@googlemail.com

Blog: freesoascleaners.blogspot.com

The occupation has issued a list of demands to SOAS management:

1. We call on the directorate to request the secretary of state to immediately release the detainees and to prevent the deportation of the three cleaners who are still in detention in the UK.
   
2. For the directorate to release a public statement condemning what has happened to the SOAS cleaners and calling for their immediate release and return.
   
3. To campaign for the return of the cleaners who have already been deported.
   
4. To bring all contract staff in house. SOAS should not use contractors, ISS or others.
   
5. To keep immigration officers from entering campus under ANY circumstances or other forms of collaboration with immigration or police. Universities are for education not for state violence and oppression.
   
6. A year's wage as reparations for all detained and deported staff.
7. To hold accountable SOAS managers who were complicit in facilitating the raid and detention of the cleaners, refusing to aid a sick worker and a pregnant woman.
8. To reinstate Jose Stalin Bermudez, the SOAS UNISON branch chair.
9. To respect the right to organise in Trade Unions unimpeded.
10. To provide space and resources for a public meeting to build support for the SOAS 9 and other migrants, in education and beyond, affected by immigration control and racism.
11. Amnesty for all involved