The War on Terrorism is boosting racism
(24th April 2002)

In a new report published today, the Institute of Race Relations claims that the EU (European Union) in following the US approach to fighting terrorism, is seriously undermining its own democratic traditions and creating explosive racism.

This is the damming verdict of the Institute of Race Relations, which presents its findings in a the report 'Racism: the hidden cost of September 11'. It represents the first attempt to examine the impact of  September 11th 2001 (that saw the World Trade Centre in New York destroyed, destruction at the Pentagon and the unleashing of Anthrax virus in various locations in the USA) and the subsequent war against terrorism, on race relations across Europe. It details who is most affected by the denial of civil liberties - and how.

Asylum seekers, foreigners (principally Arabs) and Europe's Muslim minorities are the biggest losers. European anti-terrorist laws, adopted post- September 11, have bred a culture of suspicion in which anyone of Middle-Eastern appearance is treated as an 'enemy alien'. Meanwhile, the far-Right and anti-immigrant parties have used September 11 for electoral gain - demonising Islam and its cultural and religious practises.

'But the extreme-Right are not alone in prioritising these themes', says author Liz Fekete today. 'Government policies on race relations and integration have changed dramatically since September 11. In fact we are entering a new era in domestic race policy, where old, discredited ideas of monoculturalism and assimilation into the dominant White, European Christian culture are once again in the ascendant. And the hidden cost of September 11 is an unashamed racism.'

The report draws attention to how the War Against Terrorism:

* increases Eurocentrism
* damages the principle of refugee protection
* engenders discrimination
* denies civil liberties
* legitimises human rights abuses.

'Racism: the hidden cost of September 11' is published today.

Click here to visit the Institute of Race Relations website.

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