UK Terror Laws 'Fueling Extremism'
*********************************************

Courtesy Of: The Washington Times
United Press International
Aug. 7, 2006

U.K. anti-terror laws are fueling discrimination against Muslims, and indirectly fueling extremism, the country's top-ranking Asian police officer said Monday.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said that anti-terror practices such as stop and search tended, "To be based more on physical appearance than being intelligence-led," leading to a sense of anger and alientaion among the Muslim community. He told the National Black Police Association conference in Manchester.

"Not only has anti-terrorism and security legislation been tightened across many European countries with the effect of indirectly discriminating against Muslims, but other equally unwanted practices have also emerged, including 'passenger profiling' as well as increased stop and search and arrest under terrorism legislation."

There was a "very real danger" that law enforcement agencies were misusing the counter-terrorism label, with the effect of criminalizing minority communities, he said.

"The impact of this will be that Just as the time we need the confidence and trust of these communities, they may retreat inside themselves."

Calling for an independent Judicial review into the radicalization of young Muslims, he said a "critical crossroad" had been reached in relations with the Islamic community and that urgent work was needed to prevent another terrorist attack along the lines of the July 7 London bombings.

"Young people have developed a strong sense of connection with Islam," he said. "The cumulative effect of Islamophobia, both internationally and nationally, linked to social exclusion, has created a generation of angry young people who are vulnerable to exploitation."

National Black Police Association President Keith Jarrett said Muslims were treated like "bogeymen," he urged officers to use counter-terrorism legislation "with intelligence."

The Home Office said anti-terror laws were not discriminatory and that partnership with the Muslim community was a vital part of the fight against terrorism.

Source:
http://washtimes.com/upi/20060807-112559-9605r.htm