From: Islamic Human Rights Commission

30 May 2018

PRESS RELEASE – UK: IHRC urges Home Secretary to protect pro-Palestine rally

IHRC has written to the Home Secretary demanding that his office ensures the protection of people taking part in this year’s Al-Quds rally on 10 June in the capital.

Pro-Israel advocates have been applying pressure on Khan to ban the event which highlights the continuing oppression of the Palestinians on the grounds that many of the participants carry Hezbollah flags – an activity that is perfectly legal – as an expression of support for the pro-Palestinian group.

Last year the demonisation campaign was responsible for inciting Darren Osborne to plan to attack the demonstration in central London. However he failed to break through the security cordon and instead drove a van into worshippers leaving late night Ramadan prayers in Finsbury Park killing one man.

Today’s open letter reminds the Home Secretary that the march has been run as a peaceful event in the capital for over 30 years attracting a diverse range of people. Indeed the police have praised the peaceful nature of this event and have had to increase their presence only in response to violent threats against it.

This year similar demonisation and incitement is taking place. Already the same individuals have been involved in the criminal damage (which is being investigated as a hate crime) of a poster advertising the event and have made veiled threats of taking further action during the event itself.

The letter urges Mr. Javid to apply the full extent of the law against those who seek to incite violence against Al-Quds Day no matter how aggressive or vocal the demonising campaign they orchestrate, supporting the right to protest, free expression and the right to be protected from racist hatred and violence.

Notes to editors

The open letter can be read in full here

This year’s Al-Quds Day Rally will take place on Sunday 10 June with protestors assembling outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Charles St, London.

For media enquiries please email media@ihrc.org or call 020 8904 4222 or 07958 522196

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom
Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org
Twitter @ihrc