Students Condemn Racism

MEDIA RELEASE: Students condemn racism

The Tasmania University Union is today responding to the Mercury article on Sunday 3rd July, which suggested the University being a ‘hotbed’ for racism. The TUU condemns racism to the highest degree. At the same time the TUU calls for calm.

A concerned TUU State President Saleh Bintalib said “We do not deny that racism is something that exists anywhere that brings together a large number of people from different walks of live. However the word ‘hotbed’ might not have been appropriate in this instance.”

Mr Bintalib said “We have zero tolerance to racism and will work proactively with our partners to confront the problem head on and to weed out racism completely.”

The TUU has ran several successful campaigns and events in the past two years such as Harmony Day, Multicultural Nights and a rally against violence where more than 200 students came together to rally against violent attacks on students.
Mr Bintalib added “The TUU encourages victims and witnesses of racial abuse to lodge a report with the Office of Anti Discrimination via its online incident report form, available on the OADC website, which can be used to help the authorities.” The TUU is also calling for tougher anti discrimination laws to come into effect.

Mr Bintalib concluded by saying “The TUU calls for the coming together of the community in harmony to say no to racism. Racism is an enemy to our society and deserves to be met head on and stamped out.”

For further comments please contact Saleh O Bintalib TUU State Wide President president@tuu.utas.edu.au
6226 2853 / 0409 958 158