We condemn the attacks by the Egyptian security forces on student protests in recent weeks, and call for the immediate release of students and university staff detained for expressing their opposition to the current military-backed government, or organising protests for better conditions on campus. We call on the Egyptian Supreme Universities Council to take urgent steps to guarantee the right of students and university staff to take part in demonstrations and political activities on campus, rather than increasing the power of university security guards and colluding with the police and security services to repress protests.

As university staff and students, we express our solidarity with our colleagues in Egypt in their battle to defend education and protect the political freedoms which they have won through courageous struggles over the past three years. Their fight today is part of a wider battle against the return of the repressive apparatus of Mubarak's state. We affirm our solidarity with all those in Egypt who continue to organise for the goals of the 2011 Revolution: bread, freedom and social justice.

Pura Ariza, UCU; Jean Crocker, UCU; Sandy Nicoll, SOAS UNISON Branch Secretary; Tomasa Bullen, Chair Southampton District UNISON; Philip Naylor, UCU UCA Health and Safety Rep; Rachel Cohen, City University Branch Cttee, UCU; Margot Hill, UCU; Naina Kent, Hackney UCU Cttee, John G Walker, Chair Ruskin UCU; Taz Aziz, UCU; Sue Blackwell, UCU; Sean Vernell, UCU National Executive Committee; Cliff Snaith, UCU London Region Secretary; Sean Wallis, UCU National Executive, President UCU London Region; Elizabeth Lawrence, UCU Vice President; Ian Crosson, UCU Poplar College; Billie Loebner, UCU; Ricky Tutin, UCU Bristol; Celia Hollingworth, UCU Executive; Allister Mactaggart, Branch Chair UCU Chesterfield College; Carly Grundle, UCU WKC, Mark Campbell, UCU National Executive Committee; Ioanna Ioannu, UCU; Marie Pendaraku, UCU; Mandy Brown, UCU National Executive; Paul Blackledge, UCU National Executive; Amy Gilligan, National Executive, National Union of Students.  

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