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We are not terrorists

michael c | 17.01.2003 16:51

GLASGOW REFUGEES ACTION GROUP

Press Release, 17 Jan 2003

We are not terrorists

In the wake of the recent arrests in London, Edinburgh and Manchester by UK authorities asylum seekers are being accused by politicians and the media of being terrorists and a threat to British security.

At first asylum seekers were perceived as scroungers and bogus by the government and the opposition parties and by the media as well. But worse than this, asylum seekers are accused of being terrorists by some politicians in the opposition and the media.

As we all know, war on Iraq is around the corner and the public opinion is against war on Iraq. The government is trying to use different tactics to win public support by falsely accusing asylum seekers of being terrorists to win public support for a war no one wants. We suffered a lot in our own countries at the hands of terrorist, oppressive and dictator regimes, which are installed by the West.

We want to make it clear once and for all to the British people that we are not terrorists, we are peace loving, law abiding people. There are exceptions everywhere in the world but it is wrong to generalise and demonise one group of people who are already in desperate straits and seeking sanctuary. We hope the British people will not simply be influenced by the tabloid stereotyping and those wishing to politicise the asylum issue for their own political ends.

michael c