Post by MRT on Nov 23, 2004 20:05:06 GMT
UK Muslims urged to report “Islamophobic” attacks
11/23/2004 3:00:00 PM GMT
Source: NEWS.scotsman.com
A pamphlet that aims at encouraging UK Muslims to report “Islamophobic” attacks and police harassment has been distributed to all mosques across the country at a cost of £30,000.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has supported the move in areas where many Muslims reside. About 50,000 copies of the “Islamophobia – Don’t Suffer In Silence” booklet are being circulated to police stations, mosques and Muslim community centers in three London cities; West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire.
The project is being carried out by the ACPO and the Muslim Safety Forum. It came after many Muslims and Asian minorities expressed growing concern that they are being victimized by anti-terrorism laws.
The leaflet includes a form which victims of Islamophobic attacks can fill in and submit to police. It also provides information about police stop and search powers and how to complain against police officers if Muslims believe they have been attacked.
The form asks: “Have you been the victim of the misconduct (sic) by a person serving with the police? Misconduct could include a police officer or member of police staff being rude to you or using excessive force. It could also include unlawful arrest or an abuse of your rights.”
ACPO spokesman and Assistant Chief Constable of Hertfordshire, Rob Beckley, said: “While the number of reported Islamophobic incidents is currently low, there is a lot of evidence to indicate that we are dealing with the tip of an iceberg.
“I am convinced that this reporting system will be a valuable complement to our existing work and it will help highlight within the community and the police service the importance of dealing robustly with insidious incidents of Islamophobia.”
He added: “Many Muslim groups and individuals describe their experience of verbal abuse, minor criminal damage and assaults.
“However, few of these are formally reported and it is important that we capture what is happening so that we can respond more effectively.”
The project encourages Muslims to report any incident they believe was motivated by Islamophobia, including verbal and physical abuse, damage, bullying or graffiti.
Vice-chairman of the Muslim Safety Forum, Azad Ali, said: “This marks an important start for the police services in tackling the onslaught of Islamophobia that is taking place against the Muslim community.
“We hope that this can be used as a building block to encourage the police to take the matter of Islamophobia seriously, understanding how the community is affected and handling the issues with the due respect that it demands.
“We also hope that the Muslim community will find this avenue of third party reporting useful and a means for them to report crimes against them with confidence.” He added.
Will this leaflet (overall cost 30k) make you report an Islamophobic crime ? DO WE still TRUST THE POLICE ? remember they have proven to be institutionally racist !
11/23/2004 3:00:00 PM GMT
Source: NEWS.scotsman.com
A pamphlet that aims at encouraging UK Muslims to report “Islamophobic” attacks and police harassment has been distributed to all mosques across the country at a cost of £30,000.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has supported the move in areas where many Muslims reside. About 50,000 copies of the “Islamophobia – Don’t Suffer In Silence” booklet are being circulated to police stations, mosques and Muslim community centers in three London cities; West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire.
The project is being carried out by the ACPO and the Muslim Safety Forum. It came after many Muslims and Asian minorities expressed growing concern that they are being victimized by anti-terrorism laws.
The leaflet includes a form which victims of Islamophobic attacks can fill in and submit to police. It also provides information about police stop and search powers and how to complain against police officers if Muslims believe they have been attacked.
The form asks: “Have you been the victim of the misconduct (sic) by a person serving with the police? Misconduct could include a police officer or member of police staff being rude to you or using excessive force. It could also include unlawful arrest or an abuse of your rights.”
ACPO spokesman and Assistant Chief Constable of Hertfordshire, Rob Beckley, said: “While the number of reported Islamophobic incidents is currently low, there is a lot of evidence to indicate that we are dealing with the tip of an iceberg.
“I am convinced that this reporting system will be a valuable complement to our existing work and it will help highlight within the community and the police service the importance of dealing robustly with insidious incidents of Islamophobia.”
He added: “Many Muslim groups and individuals describe their experience of verbal abuse, minor criminal damage and assaults.
“However, few of these are formally reported and it is important that we capture what is happening so that we can respond more effectively.”
The project encourages Muslims to report any incident they believe was motivated by Islamophobia, including verbal and physical abuse, damage, bullying or graffiti.
Vice-chairman of the Muslim Safety Forum, Azad Ali, said: “This marks an important start for the police services in tackling the onslaught of Islamophobia that is taking place against the Muslim community.
“We hope that this can be used as a building block to encourage the police to take the matter of Islamophobia seriously, understanding how the community is affected and handling the issues with the due respect that it demands.
“We also hope that the Muslim community will find this avenue of third party reporting useful and a means for them to report crimes against them with confidence.” He added.
Will this leaflet (overall cost 30k) make you report an Islamophobic crime ? DO WE still TRUST THE POLICE ? remember they have proven to be institutionally racist !
Really?! that happened? that's really scared me! Everytime I feel comfortable with going out, cos of the long distance i have to travel to uni, i hear something like this and i'm back to being weary of who's around me and making sure i don't sit next to or go near someone who looks dodgy (so to speak).
