Staff allegedly drags out visually impaired Ghanaian student from Oxford Union debate hall

A visually impaired Ghanaian student suffered in the hands of the security officers at the Oxford Union after he was allegedly dragged out of a debate hall with excessive force.

The MPhil in International Relations student at St John’s College, Ebenezer Azamati was allegedly abused and meted with the unfair treatment because he arrived at the premises before the commencement of the debate.

His union card was also allegedly taken from him.

It is reported that Mr. Azamati left behind some personal items in his quest to access a proper seating place but the altercation occurred when he decided to come back to the chamber although some others had been allowed entry.

Some eyewitnesses accused the union staff of being unnecessarily violent towards Mr. Azamati.

They argued that the blatant disregard for the rights of members is unacceptable.

Africa group protests

Meanwhile, a concerned group, AfriSoc is demanding an unreserved apology, recantation of the ban, punishment of the security personnel and compensation for Mr Azamati.

Unfortunately, it is yet to receive acknowledgement of a letter to the Oxford Union for a reaction to their demands.

The society says it is, therefore, proceeding on a peaceful protest against the Oxford Union to express its displeasure for justice to be served.

An injury to one is an injury to all

Dear AfriSoc member,
Our attention was brought to the unfair and unjust treatment of our member, Mr. Ebenezer Azamati, a Ghanaian Mphil in International Relations student at St John’s College.

He was violently assaulted by an Oxford Union Security personnel on the evening of the 17th of October for simply exiting and re-entering the Union chambers before the commencement of a debate. You can read our full statement here.

After hearing from Mr. Azamati himself and other witnesses, we sent a letter to the Oxford Union on Wednesday, the 6th of November, 2019 demanding for an unreserved apology, recantation of the ban, punishment of the security personnel and compensation for Mr Azamati.

Unfortunately, we neither got an acknowledgement of our letter nor a reaction to our demands.

Hence, the society is proceeding on a peaceful protest against the Oxford Union to express our displeasure and demand for justice until our demands are fully met.