PRESS RELEASE: Woolwich Attacks – IHRC urges Met Police to take zero-tolerance policy on hatred

PRESS RELEASE: Woolwich Attacks – IHRC urges Met Police to take zero-tolerance policy on hatred
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IHRC has written to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police (link below), Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, asking to be assured that the police are being vigilant and will prosecute anyone that incites murder or hatred following the Woolwich attack.  We ask the police to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards right-wing racists that are seeking to benefit from the recent attack in Woolwich. 
 
IHRC has also asked for increased security around Muslim places of worship, Muslim schools and institutes. These are troubling times and the backlash towards Muslims is a very credible threat to our communities, something that has already been demonstrated.
 
IHRC has numerous examples of people on social media that have been inciting the murder of Muslims and burning of mosques.  
 
Chair of IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh said, “Muslims are justifiably scared at the moment, as there is a backlash taking place, mosques have been attacked and threats towards Muslims are common on social media, we call on the police to protect communities from any sort of racist or Islamaphobic attack.”
Notes to Editors
 
For media enquiries please email media@ihrc.org or call 020 8904 4222

Letter to Police Commissioner

New Scotland Yard                

Dear Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe,

We would like to express our concern of an increased number of hate crimes and incitement to violence against Muslims following the recent Woolwich attack.  We have already heard of attacks against Muslim places of worship along with numerous posts on social media inciting people to murder Muslims. 

We would like to be assured that Metropolitan police are being vigilant and will prosecute anyone that carries out such actions.  We also ask for increased security around Muslim places of worship, Muslim schools and institutes.  These are troubling times and the backlash towards Muslims is a very credible threat to our communities, something that has already been demonstrated.

We have had tweets where people have called for the murder of Muslim children and burning of mosques, we expect that these individuals, and anyone else that carries out similar actions, will be arrested and prosecuted for inciting murder and violence. 

We have attached some screenshots of the tweets for your attention.  We look forward to hearing from you. 

Yours Sincerely,
Massoud Shadjareh
Chair Islamic Human Rights Commission


Response from the Commissioner’s Private Office
Thank you for your e mail dated 23 May 2013, which the Commissioner has read, expressing your concerns that diverse communities within London maybe the subject of targeting by far – right groups.
Please be assured that individuals and groups engaged in planning and committing any form of hate crime will continue to receive the strongest policing response.
We must respect the right of political parties and other organisations to peacefully demonstrate and police them according to the legal parameters in which we must operate.
The tragic murder of Lee Rigby will not be allowed to become a catalyst for an increasing spiral of racial and political tension within the capital. Whilst no doubt there are elements who seek this, they will not succeed.
The Metropolitan Police Service, together with our partners and the communities of London will overcome those in the minority who wish to exploit this horrific crime as an opportunity to enhance their extremist ideology.
Best Regards
Neil Williams,
Detective Chief Inspector
Commissioner’s Private Office

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