We the undersigned believe that Manchester Metropolitan University should immediately reconsider its recent partnership with the government of Qatar and withdraw from collaboration in training the police force of Qatar.
We believe that a university should not be involved in training police officers from a country where migrant workers are treated like slaves, where homosexuality is illegal, where women are legally discriminated against and where students are thrown in jail for writing poetry critical of their government. This partnership will simply be used to lend legitimacy to a regime steeped in human rights abuses.
This deal was signed just as the University was promoting the celebrations of LGBT History Month; but homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and is punishable by flogging, imprisonment, deportation and death. Women's rights are restricted and the majority of the population have no democratic rights. This project will involve working with the organisation that enforces these laws. The commitment to equality that is so important to MMU is in serious jeopardy. Claiming that some 'Western values' might rub off on the Qataris is at best wishful thinking and at worst a smokescreen. There will be few if any avenues for democratic engagement or protest once the police officers return home.
Higher education is increasingly led by corporate agendas that prioritise marketisation and 'strategic' deals. This is NOT of real benefit to students or staff. It scares us into abandoning what we really believe and turns us into customers and servants willing to follow a path of least resistance. If the institution’s only interest is income-generation, what other bodies or organisations would MMU be pleased to welcome into partnership?
Please add your name to this petition and demand that Manchester Metropolitan University end its partnership with the police force of Qatar.
should support this petition