The right to protest and free speech is a universal right that should not be violated regardless of the status of the protestors and especially when it involves grave issues like genocide. A supposedly progressive country and a key leader in global democracy should protect their students’ right to voice out on international issues that threaten humanity.

Infuriatingly, education institutions from a prominent country, the United Kingdom, do not reflect this. On March 4th 2025, two SOAS University of London students were arrested and charged under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act for the speeches made in support of the right of Palestinians for self-determination on behalf of SOAS Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! society in October 2023.

In the spirit of free speech and human rights, we are in solidarity with said students and support the demand for all charges against the students and all investigations concerning alleged Terrorism Act offences to be dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Previously, two students from the University of Birmingham faced disciplinary action for their involvement in pro-Palestine protests. These are among many examples of the hypocrisy of Western governments who claim to be leaders in human rights and democracy yet actively suppress voices of reasons against the most well-documented genocide in the 21st century.

Authorities who deny the public the right to free speech and protest should be held accountable for misusing their power. Injustice, be it in the form of violent atrocity or speech suppression, should be combatted against by people of the world. To reiterate, Pemuda Sosialis is in full solidarity with everyone who is protesting their governments’ complicity and complacency with the Zionist imperialist, illegal entity “Israel”.

Muhammad Yazid Mohammad Naim

Treasurer, Pemuda Sosialis.

8th April 2025