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PAIS student, Daniel Murphy, has recently launched an online petition to end his former school’s proposed partnership with a school in Qatar.

Qatar has attracted international criticism for its continued human rights abuses, and its exploitation of migrant labour in the construction of its stadiums ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Appearing on the front page of this week's Surrey Advertiser ahead of a BBC local radio interview this coming Saturday, Daniel says that the partnership contradicts many of the school's values:

"The main issue is the school’s willingness to enact a partnership with a country with huge human rights abuses. In particular, the treatment of migrant workers but also the fact that homosexuality remains punishable by death for Muslims and seven years imprisonment for non-Muslims.

The partnership contradicts many of the school'’s values and its ethos of 'caring for and valuing each individual equally'. Openly gay, lesbian and transgender teachers would not be able to apply to work at this school, while it is unlikely that openly gay students from Guildford would be allowed to participate on student exchanges with the school in Qatar."

Daniel will be appearing on BBC Radio Surrey's Breakfast Show this Saturday (9 April) at 7.15am. His petition can be signed here: https://www.change.org/p/rgs-guildford-end-rgs-guildford-s-partnership-with-qatar