Universities UK stepped into the public eye by declaring that it is OK to discriminate as long as the
people are happy to be discriminated against.
This was in specific regard to Islamic organisations or events featuring Islamic speakers who required
gender separation.
For many years this has been going on with minimal fuss, a few people who have refused to attend or
to speak at such events rate a few lines from time to time but normally the almost routine
discrimination practiced by a number of groups here in the UK is ignored.
At least it was until Universities UK decided to wander into the situation and give tacit blessing to
gender discrimination.
This created such a fuss that someone at No 10 even woke up his majesty the Prime Minister to make
a statement on the matter.
It is very rare that I find myself on the same side as “Call me Dave” but on this matter I do.
Discrimination is wrong, it is an evil that should be and must be stamped out whenever it rears
its ugly head.
It is NOT something to laugh about or turn a blind eye to.
It is NOT something that does no harm.
It is NOT acceptable just because it is a religious requirement.
It is NOT acceptable just because it is cultural or traditional.
Yesterday and today Cameron is against Discrimination.
But he is a politician; he is a politician’s politician. He changes his opinions faster than the
weather changes.
Tomorrow when the cries of religious discrimination start he will change his mind again and the
whole thing will be swept under the carpet with perhaps some vague promise of a committee
investigation the matter at some future time.
Tomorrow when the cries of religious discrimination start he and many others like him will swing
around 180 degrees and the statements will be about multi culturalism and diversity and accepting
the beliefs and traditions of others.
Tomorrow when the cries of religious discrimination start.
Here is the thing.
Here is the heart of the matter.
A Religion has NO rights.
A Culture has NO rights.
A Tradition has NO rights.
People have rights, Human beings have rights or at least they should.
The Human right to live free from discrimination. Enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Signed by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with
reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without
distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be
made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory
to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any
other limitation of sovereignty.
Born free and Equal in dignity and rights.
Without distinction of any kind such as race, colour or sex.
Many years ago when I was a young man it was the Universities and the Students who were at the
forefront of opposition to discrimination.
South African Apartheid demonstrations, the students would be there in huge numbers.
But today it is those same Students and Universities that are in the forefront of supporting
Discrimination.
Every University, every public organisation, every council hall or library or other venue that allows
the separation of participants on any grounds whatsoever is guilty of violating the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was Ratified by the British Government on the 8th
of March 1951. Britain was in fact the first nation to ratify the act. My how things have changed.
The act came into full force in September 1953 under European Law.
The British Human Rights Act 1998 covers all of the articles and protocols of the European
Convention on Human rights.
Since 2000 it has been British Law.
It is European Law recognised and authorised by successive British Governments.
Discrimination, to be denied freedoms or rights on the grounds of Gender, colour or any other reason
is AGAINST THE LAW.
It is a religion, Islam in this case, that is discriminating against women. All too often it is one religion or
another that is the basis of discrimination even when it is hidden behind culture or tradition.
A person may hold such beliefs as they wish, in the privacy of their own lives. This is the freedom
which we claim to support.
But no man, woman or child should be subject to discrimination or harm as a result of another
person's beliefs.
Segregation of men and women in any form and for any reason is no different to segregation based
on skin colour or ethnic group.
They idea that Africans should be separated out and made to sit at the back should be abhorrent
to anyone who considers themselves civilised so why is it that the very same discrimination is even
considered because of the placement of sexual organs.
Discrimination should NEVER be permitted.