UK Is "Terrorising Muslims" Says Stephen Jakobi

12.00.00am GMT Tue 11th Jan 2005

Speaking at a special meeting of the Law Enforcement, Organised Crime and Terrorism inter-group held in the European Parliament Strasbourg today Stephen Jakobi, founder of Fair Trials Abroad in his opening speech when commenting on the Terrorism laws stated,

"For every one hundred arrests of Muslims 97 are released after detention in the police station, another two are released after court proceedings are started and one is taken through the judicial process. As a society we are terrorising Muslims."

Sajjad Karim MEP attending the meeting contributed stating,

"I welcome Stephen Jakobi´s comments. It is quite right that Muslims in the UK and Europe are being unfairly targeted in this way. It very refreshing to see that someone such as Mr Jakobi who is very well informed of these issues has reached such a just conclusion and has had the courage to speak out."

"I draw particular attention to my constituency. In areas such as Blackburn, Ashton and Manchester, the media and press are at the scene of such arrests even before the police arrive to create at atmosphere of suspicion towards the Muslim community but yet when such innocent people are released no coverage is provided."

He continued to comment whilst giving a television interview,

"It is high time that those who claim to represent the interests of their constituents from elected Parliamentary positions do actually speak out to defend the hard working contributing British Muslims in areas such as Blackburn, Rochdale, Pendle, Oldham, Bolton, Bury and Manchester where Muslims are being unfairly targeted."

He added,

"I find it deplorable that the very Government which for years received unqualified support from the British Muslims is victimising and "terrorising" British Muslims in this way."