University staff support Aamer Anwar

Glasgow University UCU (University and College Union) yesterday agreed to support human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, who is facing contempt of court proceedings over statements he made on behalf of a client, Mohammed Atif Siddique, who was convicted of "terrorism" offences in September 2007

The resolution agreed by the Glasgow University branch of the UCU says:

This branch notes that prominent human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar is being threatened with a charge of contempt of court for speaking out on behalf of his client Mohammed Atif Siddique.

This branch regards this threat as an unprecedented attack on freedom of speech and on the ability of all lawyers to effectively represent their clients.

This branch resolves to:

1. Write to the Law Society of Scotland, 26 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh to express our branch's support for Aamer Anwar, and to demand that the Law Society protests at this attempt to restrict the ability of all lawyers to speak on behalf of their clients.
2. Write to our local MSPs and encourage them to support Aamer Anwar by signingthe open letter in support of Aamer Anwar by sending an email to Glasgow University >or by visiting www.sacc.org.uk/
3. Urge all branch members to sign the open letter in support of Aamer Anwar by sending an email to the Glasgow Stop the War email address or by visiting www.sacc.org.uk/defendaamer
4. Make a donation to the campaign to defend Aamer Anwar, and send it to Stop the War Coalition, Aamer Anwar Campaign, c/o Dave Sherry, TGWU Scottish Housing Branch, 290 Bath Street, Glasgow G42 4LD