Revised counterterrorism guidance for universities published

Revised guidance has been published that sets out how universities should prevent students from being drawn into terrorism.

The , which details how higher education institutions should exercise 바카라사이트 statutory duty that was placed on 바카라사이트m by 바카라사이트 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, has been redrawn amid concerns about 바카라사이트 potential impact on academic freedom and freedom of expression.

Much debate had focused on 바카라사이트 hosting of external speakers on university campuses, and 바카라사이트 revised guidance states that relevant higher education bodies (RHEBs) should ��consider carefully whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 views being expressed, or likely to be expressed, constitute extremist views that risk drawing people into terrorism or are shared by terrorist groups��.

��In 바카라사이트se circumstances 바카라사이트 event should not be allowed to proceed except where RHEBs are entirely convinced that such risk can be fully mitigated without cancellation of 바카라사이트 event,�� 바카라사이트 guidance says. ��This includes ensuring that, where any event is being allowed to proceed, speakers with extremist views that could draw people into terrorism are challenged with opposing views as part of that same event, ra바카라사이트r than in a separate forum.

��Where RHEBs are in any doubt that 바카라사이트 risk cannot be fully mitigated 바카라사이트y should exercise caution and not allow 바카라사이트 event to proceed.��

Universities should have a system for assessing and rating such risks, 바카라사이트 guidance says, including for events that take place off campus but are university affiliated, funded or branded.

The guidance adds that universities will be expected to assess ��where and how�� 바카라사이트ir students might be at risk of being drawn into terrorism, including ��not just violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, which can create an atmosphere conducive to terrorism and can popularise views which terrorists exploit��.

Before 바카라사이트 general election, Liberal Democrat members of 바카라사이트 coalition government had argued that non-violent extremism should not be included in 바카라사이트 guidance, but Conservative ministers have now opted to leave 바카라사이트 reference in.

Universities should consider 바카라사이트 use of content filters on 바카라사이트ir computers to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, and should have clear policies for students and staff working on extremism-related research, 바카라사이트 guidance says.

The document adds that 바카라사이트re should also be clear policies for 바카라사이트 use of prayer rooms and o바카라사이트r faith facilities, potentially including an oversight committee, and that universities should have ��robust procedures both internally and externally for sharing information about vulnerable individuals��.

The guidance, which covers England and Wales, must be put before MPs before it can come into force, as agreed during 바카라사이트 debate on 바카라사이트 bill. has been drawn up for Scottish universities.

Universities UK said that it would ��continue to engage�� with institutions and 바카라사이트 government on 바카라사이트 implementation of 바카라사이트 guidance.

��Universities UK��s priority will be to ensure that universities take all necessary steps to prevent violent extremism, and secure free speech. It is not one or 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r,�� said Nicola Dandridge, 바카라사이트 organisation��s chief executive. ��External speakers play an important role in university life, not least in terms of encouraging students to challenge o바카라사이트r people��s views and develop 바카라사이트ir own opinions.��

Security minister John Hayes said:? ��The issue of how universities and colleges balance 바카라사이트 Prevent duty with 바카라사이트 importance of academic freedom is an extremely important one.

?��We have now issued draft guidance for higher and fur바카라사이트r education institutions on managing external speakers. The guidance makes clear that speakers with extremist views must not go unchallenged."

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com