Page 10 | UK revokes visa of law student who addressed pro-Palestine protest

NotSoBigCrocodile · 2024-05-17T12:56:07+00:00

With all the recent threads about the protests, I wonder what everyone thinks about the U.K. Government revoking the visa of 19 year old law student Dana Abuqamar. She said that: ^“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, but it seems to not apply to ethnic minorities, particularly Muslims and Palestinians like myself.”^ She is challenging the decision and has accused the U.K. of hypocrisy. These are her comments, which she said have been taken out of context: [[https://x.com/australianwoma1/status/1791064513321795956 https://x.com/australianwoma1/status/1791064513321795956]] I always see written on Mumsnet that “freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequence.” Do you think the Government’s decision is the correct one?

SlipperyLizard · 17/05/2024 15:03

Freedom of speech DOES generally mean freedom from consequence (at least “official” consequence, you can’t stop people disagreeing with you) as otherwise speech is not free, but we are not America and there are limits to free speech as @Precipice describes.

This woman’s attitude to the rape and murder of women seem incompatible with being granted the privilege of a UK visa.

“Fuck around, find out” as I think they say.

Zimunya · 17/05/2024 15:02

Precipice · 17/05/2024 14:52

Freedom of expression is a right. It is article 10 of the ECHR. This article is qualified: "The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary."

It is generally considered that consequences for supporting proscribed terrorist organisations are acceptable and necessary in a democratic society.

Brilliantly put.

The visa application form quite clearly asks if you have ever, or currently do, support a terrorist organisation. She obviously wasn't truthful about that when she applied, and now her visa has been revoked. Quite right too.

My heart goes out to the Palestinian people, and I am vocal about their plight. I have family who live in Palestine (not the Gaza Strip). But equally, I am shocked and appalled by what was done to the Israelis on 7 October, especially those young girls.

Parky04 · 17/05/2024 15:02

TabithaTimeTurner · 17/05/2024 14:58

Pride and joy indeed 😡🤬
She poses a ‘National threat’ so yes, good riddance I say 👋

Yep, she can fuck right off.

fashionqueen0123 · 17/05/2024 15:01

If it was taken out of context- what is she full of joy about?

Original poster

NotSoBigCrocodile · 17/05/2024 15:00

Precipice · 17/05/2024 14:56

Interesting she says that the words have been taken out of context. It is the context that makes them appear outrageous. The words themselves are of feeling pride and joy for Palestinian actions of resistance. The context that makes this awful is the brutality of the attacks on 7 October - the pride and joy is over the massacres and over the brutal rapes of women.

It’s easy to say that words have been taken out of context, but much more difficult to deny the expression and delivery of those words. She seems almost euphoric.

OP posts:

TabithaTimeTurner · 17/05/2024 14:58

Pride and joy indeed 😡🤬
She poses a ‘National threat’ so yes, good riddance I say 👋

Precipice · 17/05/2024 14:56

Interesting she says that the words have been taken out of context. It is the context that makes them appear outrageous. The words themselves are of feeling pride and joy for Palestinian actions of resistance. The context that makes this awful is the brutality of the attacks on 7 October - the pride and joy is over the massacres and over the brutal rapes of women.

Precipice · 17/05/2024 14:52

Freedom of expression is a right. It is article 10 of the ECHR. This article is qualified: "The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary."

It is generally considered that consequences for supporting proscribed terrorist organisations are acceptable and necessary in a democratic society.

Original poster

NotSoBigCrocodile · 17/05/2024 14:52

Myb · 17/05/2024 14:47

There is no such thing as freedom of speech here in this country....the double standards and hypocrisy of UK has been exposed for everyone to see. On one hand this country had a verbal diarrhoea when Russia invaded Ukraine, and on the other hand this very country took part, and still is, in the genocide of Palestinians - over 30K killed. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

There is no such thing as freedom of speech here in this country....the double standards and hypocrisy of UK has been exposed for everyone to see.

Compared to where?

OP posts:

Myb · 17/05/2024 14:47

There is no such thing as freedom of speech here in this country....the double standards and hypocrisy of UK has been exposed for everyone to see. On one hand this country had a verbal diarrhoea when Russia invaded Ukraine, and on the other hand this very country took part, and still is, in the genocide of Palestinians - over 30K killed. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

ChickyBricky · 17/05/2024 14:43

With such "pride" and "joy" in the events of 7 October, she'll feel much more at home in a place where others openly share her viewpoint. It must be awful for her feeling she is under unfair pressure to curb her enthusiasm.