Liam Burns, President of NUS, has written to the Principal of King's College London, Richard Trainor, asking for urgent reconsideration of the institution's involvement in a European Union research project which includes Ahava Dead Sea Laboratories.
This comes after the NUS Executive Council, along with the University of London Union and KCL Students' Union, overwhelming voted to support the campaign to pressure King's to withdraw from the NanoReTox project.
Ahava is a cosmetics company which uses, in part, resources from occupied Palestinian territories.
Burns pointed to Ahava as being "deeply complicit with violations of international law, specifically concerning declaration of their products origins within occupied Palestinian territories."
He goes onto say that "a swift resolution, which we believe involves severing ties with the NanoReTox project whilst Ahava is still a partner, with the ultimate aim of Ahava complying with international law, is in everyone’s best interests."
Considering NUS' strong record in ethical procurement and constructive engagement, an offer was made to support King's in responding to students' concerns.
This comes barely a year after the international scandal surrounding the London School of Economics and their institutional links to the human rights abusing regime of the Gaddhafi family.
The students' union continues to have constructive meetings with the Principal regarding the issue.
For more information, contact Dannie Grufferty, Vice-President (Society & Citizenship)
We have also written to the European Commission citing concerns for the prevalence of EU funds supporting research projects with companies based in Israeli settlements.
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To whom it may concern,
I write to you on behalf of the UK National Union of Students Executive. This letter relates to the prevalence of EU funds supporting research projects with companies based in Israeli settlements.
The involvement of Ahava in a number of Framework 7 projects has been highlighted in the European Parliament and we are aware of the Commission's view that the regulations for Framework 7 do not forbid funds that are given to an Israeli partner (incorporated within the 1967 borders) from using the money to fund research in a settlement.
As well as the recent spotlight put on the Kings College London and Ahava project, a similar issue has been raised recently about the Israeli Antiquities Authority, a body which is closely involved in using excavations of historical sites in the Opt to bolster claims of Israeli sovereignty. The University of Bath is involved in a project with the IAA.
We believe that the fact that the regulations for Framework 8 are being finalised early in 2012; means that you have an opportunity to ensure that future EU funds are not used by organisations (whether universities, businesses or other entities) that are based in, or operating within Israeli settlements.
NUS is concerned about this issue and put it to you to investigate changes to regulations on Framework 8 (and also all other programmes (e.g. University Exchange programmes and Heritage) to ensure the EU taxpayer is not funding any activities in settlements.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours faithfully,
Danielle Grufferty
Vice President (Society & Citizenship)
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