Student Rights is a non-partisan group dedicated to supporting equality, democracy and freedom from extremism on university campuses.  We were set up in June 2009 as a reaction to increasing political extremism and marginalisation of vulnerable students on campus.

Led by director Raheem Kassam, the organisation consists of staff, interns, student activists and supporters as well as an Advisory Board.

Why We Exist

A worrying shift in the priorities of Student Unions means that the needs of students are often inadequately addressed.  Student Rights exists to ensure universities value their greatest assets and serves them appropriately - that is to say that prominence is not afforded to extremist individuals, that political action on campuses is proportionate, appropriate and does not detract from the primary function of universities: education.

Student Rights keeps its ear to the ground for extremism and radicalisation occurring on university campuses, from a range of different groups including but not limited to fascist groups, extreme political parties and Islamist elements on campuses.

Student Rights has also been effective at exposing foreign funding streams coming in to UK universities with a particular focus on caveats placed upon donations and from what type of governments they emerge from i.e. totalitarian dictatorships etc.

Who We Are

Raheem Kassam is the director of the organisation and has been since October 2009. Raheem is from a Muslim family and grew up in West London. He attended the University of Westminster, where he studied politics and went on to work for Lehman Brothers, a public sector consultancy and then to run Student Rights. Raheem has also worked for many campaign groups including most recently the Bow Group. Raheem is also the Executive Editor of the online magazine The Commentator. 

You can reach Raheem by e-mailing: raheem.kassam [at] studentrights.org.uk

Rupert Sutton is a Researcher at Student Rights who joined in 2011. He is originally from Maidstone and holds a BA in War Studies from the University of Kent and an MA in Terrorism and Security from King’s College London. He has previously worked at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation as well as spending two years with the NHS.

He can be reached by email at rupert.sutton [at] studentrights.org.uk

Advisory Board

Rt. Hon Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse

Rt. Hon Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Chairman of Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Backbench Committee

Robert Halfon, Conservative Member of Parliament for Harlow

Rt. Hon Kim Howells, Labour Former Member of Parliament for Pontypridd, former Chairman of Intelligence and Security Committee

Rt. Hon Denis Macshane, Labour Member of Parliament for Rotherham

Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, Liberal Democrat Councillor

Daniel Johnson, Editor of Standpoint Magazine

Dr. Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society

Shiraz Maher, Senior Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, Kings College London

Alex Radzyner, Businessman and former visiting lecturer at the London School of Economics

Brian Brivati, Director of the John Smith Memorial Trust

Benjamin Ramm, Editor of The Liberal magazine