British University Under Fire for Halting Research on China Human Rights Abuses Amid Allegations of Beijing Pressure
A UK university has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that it was pressured by Chinese authorities to halt research on human rights abuses in China. Sheffield Hallam University, home to the prestigious Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice (HKC) research institution, reportedly ordered a professor to cease her work on supply chains and forced labor involving the Uyghur minority in February.
Professor Laura Murphy's research focuses on the persecution of Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group in China. The university allegedly took this action following an inability to secure necessary insurance coverage, but later apologized and lifted the ban on her work after an internal review.
However, the university's initial decision has raised concerns among academics and human rights activists. A South Yorkshire police spokesperson revealed that the investigation into the allegations had been referred to counter-terrorism police due to Section 3 of the National Security Act, which deals with "assisting a foreign intelligence service". The police are now scrutinizing whether Murphy's actions constituted assistance to a Chinese intelligence service.
The university has defended its decision, stating it was based on the complex circumstances surrounding the time and, later, apologizing for any harm caused. However, critics argue that the university's actions undermine academic freedom and freedom of speech.
China has rejected allegations of forced labor and claims that Uyghur work programs are intended to alleviate poverty. The Chinese government's stance raises questions about whether Beijing is attempting to silence research critical of its human rights record.
A UK university has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that it was pressured by Chinese authorities to halt research on human rights abuses in China. Sheffield Hallam University, home to the prestigious Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice (HKC) research institution, reportedly ordered a professor to cease her work on supply chains and forced labor involving the Uyghur minority in February.
Professor Laura Murphy's research focuses on the persecution of Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group in China. The university allegedly took this action following an inability to secure necessary insurance coverage, but later apologized and lifted the ban on her work after an internal review.
However, the university's initial decision has raised concerns among academics and human rights activists. A South Yorkshire police spokesperson revealed that the investigation into the allegations had been referred to counter-terrorism police due to Section 3 of the National Security Act, which deals with "assisting a foreign intelligence service". The police are now scrutinizing whether Murphy's actions constituted assistance to a Chinese intelligence service.
The university has defended its decision, stating it was based on the complex circumstances surrounding the time and, later, apologizing for any harm caused. However, critics argue that the university's actions undermine academic freedom and freedom of speech.
China has rejected allegations of forced labor and claims that Uyghur work programs are intended to alleviate poverty. The Chinese government's stance raises questions about whether Beijing is attempting to silence research critical of its human rights record.
This whole thing got me thinking, what's the point of having a university if they can just back down from a hard topic like this? I mean, you'd think they'd want to stand by their professor and support her research. Now it feels like they're just trying to avoid some kind of trouble with China 
. And what's up with the insurance thing? That sounds like a dodgy excuse to me. I guess this is just another example of how universities are being pressured into self-censorship 
. It's all about the politics, not about doing what's right or exploring the truth... 
. That law is meant to prevent people from assisting foreign intelligence services, but it shouldn't be used to silence academics who are just trying to do their job.
. If they're denying allegations of forced labor and human rights abuses, that just means there's more work to be done by researchers like Professor Murphy 
. We need more people willing to take on these tough issues and challenge the status quo 
.
they literally shut down a profs research because of chinese pressure like whats next? theyre gonna stop us from talking about climate change or whatever else we dont want china to know about 
but seriously though, its super worrying that they were trying to silence her. i mean china has already got everyone under their thumb and now universities are doing their bidding too? 
it should be the profs who have the freedom to do their research without fear of retribution, not the censors in china 
. I mean, they got called out for it and apologized, which is cool, but it's kinda like they're saying "you know what? We messed up, let's just not talk about it anymore" 
. Newsflash: if you're gonna do research on human rights abuses, especially something as sensitive as the Uyghur situation, you gotta be willing to take some heat 
. It's not like they were asking for permission or anything 
.
"It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, even when it's hard." 
. but then they apologize and lift the ban after an internal review? that just doesn't add up 
What if there were no way for China to get at her work even if she did keep going? Would that be better than just not doing it? 
the chinese gov's trying 2 control everythin & its so scary 
China rejecting allegations and trying to silence research just makes me wonder if they're using some kind of coercion or blackmail 
ugh i cant even imagine the chill that must've been in the uni admin office when they realized their mistake 
anyway can we pls talk about how this is just another example of china tryna silence anyone who speaks out against them?? 
This sets a bad precedent for academic freedom and freedom of speech in the UK. I'm not surprised that it's being scrutinized by counter-terrorism police tho... 
.
It's all about who's in power and who gets to decide what information gets out there. The fact that the UK is willing to play along like this says more about their own politics than it does about China... 
. What's interesting is that some people are saying the pressure from China might've been a factor here... but we can't let that silence us from having a conversation about what's going on in the world 
