GREEN Party MEP Jean Lambert appealed for the law to treat terror suspects as individuals and condemned increased police and government stereotyping of Muslims during a speech at an East London Synagogue on Sunday (March 28, 2004).
"To build peace we need to remember people's humanity - and remember that everyone's an individual, regardless of their religion or nationality," the London MEP, also a member of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee, said.
"However much we object to what governments do we must remember that they don't in reality speak for all - in most cases even the majority - of their citizens.
"That a state is regarded as democratic doesn't necessarily change that. It' s no more fair to blame Israeli citizens for the actions of their government than it is to blame British citizens for the government's continued detention of terror suspects without trial at Belmarsh, or US citizens for what's happening at Gauntanamo Bay."
Mrs Lambert's comments came during her keynote speech at the first AGM of 'Peace and Justice in East London', a community-based multi-faith peace organisation made up of religious groups from across East London, at South Woodford Synagogue.
She added: "As Muslims report increased isolation from communities across Britain - and police forces are reportedly increasing the use of 'stop and search' against young Muslims in traditional dress - it's important to look beyond the religion at the individual if we are to move towards peace in our local communities, our multicultural city and the world beyond."
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A picture of Mrs Lambert with a display of local 'peace reportage' at South Woodford
Synagogue (jpeg) available on request
For more information please contact Ben or Katy on 020 7407 6280, 07973 823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk