Crimestoppers and the University of Manchester Student Union have been criticised by members of the university’s Kurdish Society for distributing leaflets to the society, aimed at asking students to contact the organisation to report people smugglers.
Members are outraged at the implication members would know people smugglers and have also been angered that no other societies at the university were targeted with this campaign.
A member of the society, who wished to remain anonymous, said although he understands the threats and harm human traffickers pose, students were angry that the society was singled out among the many other societies at the university.
They said: “This society is one of the only Kurdish community institutions that exist in the city of Manchester, and the state has attacked community institutions before, such as the police raid in November 2024 on the London Kurdish Community Centre.”
In November last year the Kurdish community centre in North London and the homes of Kurdish activities were raided by police
Students have also expressed distrust and anger at the Students’ Union, who they believe should not allow anyone or organisations from the public to come in and pass material onto specific student groups.
The member also touched on the topic that Kurdish students already fear joining groups such as the Kurdish Society due to the repercussions they may face back in the Middle East.
They said: “The Kurdish Society already feels the threat of politicisation and, as a result, political repercussions, by Kurdish students who go back and forth between different parts of Kurdistan and the UK.
“There have been several instances within the committee in the Kurdish Society where members have left over fears of political repercussions for participating in this society.”
Gary Murray, Crimestoppers northwest regional manager, said: “We identified that dangerous people traffickers and people smugglers were targeting the Kurdish community in the UK.
“They were using coercive and violent tactics to entrap vulnerable individuals and, in some cases, families to make perilous, even fatal, journeys to enter the UK.”
Kurdish people are one of, if not the largest, ethnic group in the world without their own independent state and often face persecution in their native homelands, having long struggled for greater rights, recognition, and autonomy.
Murray said Crimestoppers is always looking to strengthen ties with communities and welcomes the opportunity to speak with the members of the Kurdish community so we can continue to learn and develop effective engagement.
The University of Manchester Student Union were approached for comment but did not respond.
