“I firstly offer my best wishes to Gary McKinnon and his
family as they celebrate this announcement, extraditing him
to the United States was the wrong decision and we are glad
that his family have been successful in their case.
The British Home
Secretary Theresa May has today demonstrated her double
standards and blatant racism. Taha Ahsan another
suspect sent to the United States suffered from the same
condition as Gary which is Asperger's syndrome; he was
suicidal and had the Government acted at the time a few
weeks ago to set up a Forum then they would have been put on
trial in the UK. Waiting until announcing Gary's decision
today shows the politics and perceived bigotry that exists
when it comes to Muslims.
This decision has
demonstrated the double standards applied to Muslims by the
Government and some parts of wider society. It is
shameful that this Coalition Government has practised racism
at its core and refused to treat Talha Ahsan the same as
Gary McKinnon. This action has brought shame on the
Government's record on equality which before this was
pitiful anyway.
The irony of
Theresa May using the Human Rights Act as a defence not to
extradite Gary but spend years condemning this legislation
has not gone unnoticed by many.
This announcement
sends out the message to Muslims, Black and ethnic minority
citizens that there are different rules for different
people, if you happen to be white and not a Muslim you'll be
protected but if you happen to be a Muslim and Black/ Asian
God help you.
There are now
serious questions for the Government to answer why the new
proposal to consider whether suspects could be tried in the
UK was not announced before Babar Ahmed and Talha Ahsan were
sent to the US.
We didn't expect
much from the Conservative Party but the collusion of the
Liberal Democrats to this racism and double standards
beggars belief. The Lib Dems have prided themselves as the
Party of Civil Liberties and equality but today's
announcement has them as an agent to these racist double
standards.
We pray for the
health of Babar Ahmed and Talha Ahsan, that their families
have the patience to deal with this trauma and that
like-minded people stand up and speak out.
END
Notes for editors
For immediate media interview requests please ring 07989
764624 (Media only)
-
The Ramadhan Foundation is a leading Muslim organisation
in the UK that is working for peaceful co-existence and
dialogue for all communities.
-
The Ramadhan Foundation has written to the Home
Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister in regards to the
double standards and racism
-
Based in Greater Manchester and working to also
establish the platform for human unity amongst our
communities in the UK
-
Mohammed Shafiq is 33, Chief Executive of the Ramadhan
Foundation, a regular contributor on TV, Radio, Online
and also newspaper columnist
