The NUS Black Students’ Campaign, which represents all UK students of African, Asian and Arab descent, has passed a motion at its Summer Conference (16-17 May) pledging to continue to support the Free Hich campaign and academic freedom. The NUS Black Students’ Campaign constitutes almost one million students, or one-fifth of the NUS membership, and [...]

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Craig Murray, former British Ambassador, writes:
Yezza has now been jailed for nine months for “securing avoidance of enforcement action by deceptive means”. As he was working and studying at Nottingham University under his own name, the deception is not apparent. But a formal jail sentence for an illegal immigrant in this country is extremely unusual. [...]

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Peter Tatchell writes in The Guardian:
After living an exemplary life in the UK for 14 years, Nottingham University staff member Hicham Yezza was arrested on unfounded terrorism charges and now faces the prospect of being forcibly removed to his homeland of Algeria – terminating his successful, commendable life in the UK and tearing him from [...]

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Dear friends,
Many thanks to each and every one of you for your continued support for this campaign: it is without a doubt the only reason Hicham has been able to fight for justice for so long.
On Friday 6 March, Hicham was sentenced to a nine-month custodial sentence after being convicted of ‘securing avoidance of [...]

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Dear friends,
Thanks to everyone for the considerable and unstinting support they have given to the Free Hich campaign from the start. It is only due to the help and support of thousands of people that Hicham has been able to fight for justice for so long.
As many of you may know, Hich lost his case [...]

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Welcome to the Free Hicham campaign website, please take a few moments to read the “About” section and also the “How to help: Nine ways to help Hich” page.
As many of you know, Hich refused the offer to have all charges dropped against him in exchange for leaving the country quietly but he needs our [...]

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/19/student-politics-sit-ins-gaza
Crackdowns on a resurgence in activism highlight universities’ transformation into businesses selling employable students
“Over the past four weeks, the UK student community has been witnessing an unprecedented political awakening not seen since the anti-apartheid protests of the 80s, and yet you would be forgiven for being completely oblivious to it. Coverage in the media has [...]

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We are shocked and disappointed by today’s verdict. These proceedings arose following the misguided and hasty arrest of Hicham for possessing genuine research material on the university campus, and  the subsequent public outcry no doubt cause embarrassment for the authorities.  Hicham’s initial arrested was described as a serious ‘cock-up’ by Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson [...]

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On Sunday 15 February, Hich will be performing in the celebrated show ‘Four Heartbeats, One Rhythm: A Night of Traditional and Contemporary Palestinian Dance and Music’ (featuring Oud Master and Singer Nizar Al Issa).
All funds raised will be dedicated to the emergency appeal for Gaza.
Sunday 15th February 2009
7.30pm
£12 / £10 / £15 on the night

Please [...]

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The exhibition of Hich’s ‘Tête à Tête: Conversations in Z Minor‘ cartoons has ended at Lee Rosy’s Tea Shop in Hockley. The quirky and erudite cartoon series has received widespread praise and acclaim. A full exhibition, where the original cartoons (many of which were drawn in detention) will be available for purchase, will be advertised [...]

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