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UK Lawyers demanded ban on ‘RSS’ and ‘VHP’ in UK.
APL viewed that untimely ban will open unnecessary discussion on ‘hijab’ and valid Muslim practices
Barrister Amjad Malik, Chairman (APL) Association of Pakistani origin Solicitors, Barristers, and Judges has taken note of banning ‘Islam4UK’ and has demanded the Home Secretary to ban India based ‘RSS’ and ‘VHP’ in UK too. APL chair has confirmed that it is a public knowledge that both organisation(s) have raised funds for terrorism in UK and were involved in terrorist activities widely reported in building Ram Mandar and during Gujrat riots where hundreds were killed . APL chair said that whilst using banning powers there must be fairness and even handedness as it noted that in 2001 whilst banning LeT, a Pakistan based, failed to ban India based militant organization(s) RSS and VHP in UK which were openly collecting funds in UK to build Ram Mandar in place of Babari mosque, and raised legitimate concerns of the Muslim community.
Mr. Malik said that in the case of Muslim Imam Shafiq Ur Rehman’s deportation case in 2001, Law Lord Slynn of House of Lords opined that: “indirect threat may pose a risk to national security ”, and Law Lord further said that, “activities directed against the overthrow or destabilisation of a foreign government if that foreign govt is likely to take reprisals against the United Kingdom which affect the security of the United Kingdom.” We are of the view that as RRS and VHP has been collecting funds to be sued in India for terrorism, that meets the requirement for such banning in UK.
Earlier APL noted that Home Secretary under Terrorism Act 2000 has banned proscribed yet again ‘islam4UK,’ a web based UK platform associated with Al-Muhajroun. The outfit was headed by Omar Bakri Mohammed who went into self exile to Lebanon a few years ago. ‘Islam4UK’ earlier announced to hold an anti-war march in the market town of Wootten Basset, Wiltshire carrying empty coffins which ultimately led to its ban. APL is concerned that the proscription which has come into force from Thursday 14 January in UK whereby police will have powers to arrest its members, and freeze its accounts and assets worldwide will mean that the membership of that organization will be a criminal offence punishable up to 10 years of imprisonment in UK.
APL strongly opposed the venue of the said anti war march through Wotten Basset on the name of ‘Muslims’ carrying empty coffins which potentially would have caused enormous hurt to the feelings of the grieving families whose members have died in real life in the line of duty and our heart goes out for those who lost their loved one’s. Those anti war protests could have been counterproductive and may fuel the fire and may spark community reactions and riots. Malik said that it is also a fact that majority of Muslims & other communities were against Iraq war and mostly are against war in Afghanistan though they all are in support of Govt’s drive to hunt AL-Qaeda leadership for the attacks of 9/11 in United States to bring those to accounts. He said that two wrongs cannot make one right and whilst holding procession in wooden Basset is not ideal lacking Muslim support, similarly, banning powers must be used as a last resort as this is not a proportionate step where other alternates are available because figures show that ban in the past did not work as these tiny ‘one man ride’ groups re emerged with different names frustrating the necessary deterrent efforts. Home Secretary at all times had an option to refuse permission through police to such protestors under public good reasons which would have been a justified act and APL would have welcomed that line of action.
APL feel that freedom of expression and practicing a faith is a prized gift protected by Article 9 & 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 and no discrimination must take place whilst people are exercising such rights and protest is a legitimate way of expressing community’s concerns to the Govt. Islam4UK is not a Muslim representative group and a tiny outfit which must be dealt with available measures. Muslims as well as people of other faith(s), nationalities, colour and creed have openly protested against the war on Iraq in the streets of London and we must appreciate the freedom to hold those protests as they are valid means to convey public opinion.
APL is of the view that overall Muslims of UK are law abiding and tolerant citizens and APL highly commend the community for patiently bearing with the marches of English defence league last year. APL would have expected the Home Secretary who patiently dealt with the demonstrations of far rights groups to control these tiny outfits through police powers or he could have tolerantly negotiated to hold a march elsewhere, as proscription should have been used as a last resort, and will act to feed the fodder to radical groups. APL raised concerns at the latest English Defence League protest due to take place in stoke on Trent in January will be a big challenge for Home Secretary how he addresses the anxiety of Muslims on these far right group’s protests which have a potential to turn into riots. Silence will indicate two different approaches.
Those banned in UK may appeal to Proscribed Organisation Appeals Commission and they must rather than re emerging with a different name as that will mean that either their political ideology is faulty or Home Secretary’s ban was right, said Amjad Malik
18 January 2010
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