Sinn Féin Ard Fheis opposes University of Ulster Political Protocol

The campaign to end the University of Ulster’s controversial ‘political protocol’ which censors political activity on campus, gained further momentum at the weekend when the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis voted overwhelmingly in support of a motion calling for the scrapping of the protocol.

The motion which was submitted by the Bernard O’Hagan, Magee University cumann read,

“This Ard Fheis opposes the political protocol of the University of Ulster which bans political parties from recruiting but allows British military to recruit on campus.”

Jack Murray of Magee Ógra Shinn Féin, speaking to the motion said,

“It is hypocritical for the University of Ulster to teach politics yet censor political parties. This sends out a dangerous and disempowering message that politics is wrong, the university should be playing their part in encouraging young people to engage in decision making processes.”

“Communities in the North are attempting to forge a shared future together, we will only be successful through full, proper discussion and respect for diversity. The decision by the University of Ulster to have a ‘political protocol’ counters all of this progressive thinking; it is a retrograde step and must be overturned.”

“Last week, Ógra Shinn Féin launched an online petition opposing the protocol, we would urge everyone to show their opposition to this denial of freedom of speech, promotion of ignorance and sign the petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/protocol/petition.html"