Latest news with #studentRights
CNN
a day ago
- Politics
- CNN
Nigerian university sparks outrage as staff check whether female students are wearing bras before exams
A Nigerian university is facing backlash after a viral video appeared to show young women who were queuing for exams being checked for whether they were wearing bras before being allowed in. In a short clip that spread quickly on social media, two women seem to be touching the breasts of the women in the queue as they walk past. Students at Olabisi Onabnajo University confirmed to CNN that the video was shot at their school, in Nigeria's southwestern Ogun state. In the video, one female student appeared to be removed from the queue after one of the women touched her. CNN has not been able to confirm when the video was taken but a student representative at OOU, who defended the school over what he dubbed the, 'no bra, no entry policy,' said exams began this week. The university has not responded to CNN's request for comment and has not commented publicly on the alleged policy amid widespread outrage on Nigerian social media. Student union leader Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji said in a post on X Tuesday that the check for bras 'is not a new policy' in the school, which he stated, 'promotes a dress code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution's values.' Olatunji shared parts of what he said were the school's policies, which described indecent dressing as that which shows sensitive body parts 'such as breasts, buttocks, nipples and belly-buttons,' including 'any dressing that is capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner.' Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the OOU's bra policy as 'draconian' and 'arbitrary,' and one that 'might amount to some form of sexual harassment.' He told CNN that 'physically examining the bodies of students to determine whether they are wearing a bra or not is not only degrading but also undignifying.' 'There could be medical explanations for why certain students may not feel comfortable wearing a bra at a particular time,' he said, adding that enforcing the policy 'without exceptions, or without taking peculiarities into consideration is arbitrary,' and could lead to legal actions. Student leader Olatunji said in another post on X Tuesday that talks were ongoing with OOU's administration 'to explore alternative approaches to addressing indecent dressing, focusing on respectful and dignified interactions between students and staff.'
CNN
a day ago
- Politics
- CNN
Nigerian university sparks outrage as staff check whether female students are wearing bras before exams
A Nigerian university is facing backlash after a viral video appeared to show young women who were queuing for exams being checked for whether they were wearing bras before being allowed in. In a short clip that spread quickly on social media, two women seem to be touching the breasts of the women in the queue as they walk past. Students at Olabisi Onabnajo University confirmed to CNN that the video was shot at their school, in Nigeria's southwestern Ogun state. In the video, one female student appeared to be removed from the queue after one of the women touched her. CNN has not been able to confirm when the video was taken but a student representative at OOU, who defended the school over what he dubbed the, 'no bra, no entry policy,' said exams began this week. The university has not responded to CNN's request for comment and has not commented publicly on the alleged policy amid widespread outrage on Nigerian social media. Student union leader Muizz Olanrewaju Olatunji said in a post on X Tuesday that the check for bras 'is not a new policy' in the school, which he stated, 'promotes a dress code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution's values.' Olatunji shared parts of what he said were the school's policies, which described indecent dressing as that which shows sensitive body parts 'such as breasts, buttocks, nipples and belly-buttons,' including 'any dressing that is capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner.' Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the OOU's bra policy as 'draconian' and 'arbitrary,' and one that 'might amount to some form of sexual harassment.' He told CNN that 'physically examining the bodies of students to determine whether they are wearing a bra or not is not only degrading but also undignifying.' 'There could be medical explanations for why certain students may not feel comfortable wearing a bra at a particular time,' he said, adding that enforcing the policy 'without exceptions, or without taking peculiarities into consideration is arbitrary,' and could lead to legal actions. Student leader Olatunji said in another post on X Tuesday that talks were ongoing with OOU's administration 'to explore alternative approaches to addressing indecent dressing, focusing on respectful and dignified interactions between students and staff.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No-bra, no-exam' rule at Nigerian university sparks outrage
A university in Nigeria has sparked outrage after a video went viral showing female students being touched to see if they were wearing bras before taking part in an exam. In the footage, female staff at Olabisi Onabanjo University in south-western Ogun State are seen touching some students' chests as they queue to enter an examination hall. The university has not yet commented on the video, but a student leader defended the bra policy as being part of the institution's dress code aimed at maintaining "a distraction-free environment". However, he acknowledged that other ways were needed to enforce the policy that has been condemned by critics as archaic, sexist and likened to sexual assault. A senior official at campaign group Human Rights Network told the BBC that students could sue the university for violating their rights. "Unwarranted touches on another person's body is a violation and could lead to legal action. The university is wrong to adopt this method to curb indecent dressing," Haruna Ayagi said. A student who did not want to be named told the BBC that the university enforced a strict moral code despite not being a religious institution. She said their clothes were always being checked. In response to the outcry, the president of the university's students' union, Muizz Olatunji, said on X that the university promoted "a dress-code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution's values". He added that the policy was not new, and the union had "engaged with the institution to explore alternative approaches to addressing indecent dressing, focusing on respectful and dignified interactions between students and staff". He also published the dress code, which included a ban on any clothes "capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner". The university was founded in 1982 as Ogun State University when Olabisi Onabanjo was state governor. It was renamed after him in 2001. What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? Disbelief as Nigeria urges prayer to end food shortages Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Nigerian university's 'no-bra, no-exam' rule sparks outrage
A university in Nigeria has sparked outrage after a video went viral showing female students being touched to see if they were wearing bras before taking part in an the footage, female staff at Olabisi Onabanjo University in south-western Ogun State are seen touching some students' chests as they queue to enter an examination university has not yet commented on the video, but a student leader defended the bra policy as an attempt to ensure students dressed "modestly" and to maintain "a distraction-free environment".However, he acknowledged that other ways were needed to enforce the policy that has been condemned by critics as archaic, sexist and likened to sexual assault. A senior official at campaign group Human Rights Network told the BBC that students could sue the university for violating their rights."Unwarranted touches on another person's body is a violation and could lead to legal action. The university is wrong to adopt this method to curb indecent dressing," Haruna Ayagi said.A student who did not want to be named told the BBC that the university enforced a strict moral code despite not being a religious said their clothes were always being response to the outcry, the president of the university's students' union, Muizz Olatunji, said on X that the university promoted "a dress-code policy aimed at maintaining a respectful and distraction-free environment, encouraging students to dress modestly and in line with the institution's values".He added that the policy was not new, and the union had "engaged with the institution to explore alternative approaches to addressing indecent dressing, focusing on respectful and dignified interactions between students and staff".He also published the dress code, which included a ban on any clothes "capable of making the same or opposite sex to lust after the student in an indecent manner".The university was founded in 1982 as Ogun State University when Olabisi Onabanjo was state governor. It was renamed after him in 2001. More BBC stories on Nigeria: What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria?Disbelief as Nigeria urges prayer to end food shortagesCulture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
U.S. Judge says government must release Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil, but has until Friday to appeal
Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is seen at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Columbia University campus in New York, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File) NEWARK, N.J. — A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the government must release Mahmoud Khalil, the former Columbia University graduate student whom the Trump administration is trying to deport over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. But Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, will remain in custody until at least Friday, giving the government time to appeal, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz said Wednesday. 'The court's decision is the most significant vindication yet of Mahmoud's rights,' said Ramzi Kassem, co-director of CLEAR, a legal nonprofit and clinic at the City University of New York that represents Khalil. 'But we aren't out of the woods until Mahmoud is free and back home with his wife and child.' Lawyers and spokespersons for the Justice Department, which is handling the case, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Khalil was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment, the first arrest under President Donald Trump's crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. He was then flown across the country and taken to an immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a U.S. citizen who gave birth to their first child while he was in custody. Khalil's lawyers challenged the legality of his detention, accusing the Trump administration of trying to suppress free speech. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he has the power to deport Khalil because his presence in the U.S. could harm foreign policy. Farbiarz had ruled earlier that expelling Khalil from the U.S. on those grounds was likely unconstitutional. In his new ruling Wednesday, the judge said that Khalil had shown that his continued detention is causing irreparable harm to his career, his family and his free speech rights. However, the judge put his order on hold until 9:30 a.m. Friday to allow the government time to appeal. He also required Khalil to post a $1 bond before he is freed. In his ruling, Farbiarz cited Khalil's statement to the court last week that the revocation of his green card has damaged his career prospects, including a decision by Oxfam International to rescind a job offer to serve as a policy adviser. The judge also noted that the decision deterred Khalil from engaging in constitutionally protected protests and free speech-related activities. 'The Court finds as a matter of fact that the Petitioner's career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled -- and this adds up to irreparable harm,' the judge wrote. Farbiarz noted in his ruling that the government has also argued it is detaining and deporting Khalil in part because of alleged omissions on his green card application. But the judge said evidence presented by his attorneys showed lawful permanent residents are virtually never detained for such a thing. Khalil, in his statement to the court last week, also disputed that he wasn't forthcoming on the application. For example, he said he was never employed by or served as an 'officer' of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, as the administration claims, but completed an internship approved by the university as part of his graduate studies. The judge's decision comes after several other legal residents targeted for their activism have been released from custody, including another Palestinian student at Columbia, Mohsen Mahdawi; a Tufts University student, Rumeysa Ozturk; and a Georgetown University scholar, Badar Khan Suri. Rubio has cited a rarely used statute to justify the deportation of Khalil and others, which gives him power to deport those who pose 'potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.' Khalil isn't accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The government, however, has said that noncitizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country for expressing views that the administration considers to be antisemitic and 'pro-Hamas,' referring to the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Khalil, then an international affairs graduate student, had served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia who took over a campus lawn last spring to protest Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The university brought police in to dismantle the encampment after a small group of protesters seized an administration building. Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and wasn't among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations. But images of his maskless face at protests, along with his willingness to share his name with reporters, made him an object of scorn among those who saw the protesters and their demands as antisemitic. The White House accused Khalil of 'siding with terrorists,' but has yet to give any evidence for the claim.
