'UK terror laws hampering charities'

Two former British cabinet ministers have urged the Conservative government to set up a inquiry into the way UK counter-terror laws are hampering the humanitarian work of Islamic charities.

They have discussed the issue with the British lawmakers. They have also written to the Commons International Development Select Committee to call for an inquiry into complaints that Islamic charities are being treated unfairly particularly in Syria.  

Clare Short, international development secretary from 1997 to 2003, and Andrew Mitchell, who served in the same job from 2010 to 2012 have focused on the concerns that Muslim charities are being discriminated against by banks or officials.

Almost one-fifth of government development aid goes to charities, and Islamic charities are some of the few British aid organizations that can operate in Syria.

“This is an issue that needs clarifying and sorting out. It has been around as a problem for some time, but it has been getting worse and worse. We have got this enormous capacity in the UK of these Muslim humanitarian charities, yet they are struggling with one hand behind their back. We need a proper scrutiny and examination bringing all this out. It is preventing efficiency,” Short wrote stressing that the issue needed examining.

On the other hand, Mitchell said: “These are some of the few charities that can get into Syria and help the benighted people of that country, yet they are being held back due to misunderstandings and banking bureaucracy.”

Now the issue is expected to be examined systematically by Commons International Development Committee Chair Stephen Twigg.

One charity which has complained of discrimination is Islamic Relief, one of the largest Muslim charities, who say their work is being hampered. 

Other charities have reported the closure of bank accounts, Pay Pal accounts and the blocking of financial transactions.

 “No one is accountable for what is going on right now. Every time we speak to the government about this, they say it is a private sector issue and they cannot get involved. That is not good enough anymore. We are told no one will be prosecuted for ‘benign engagement’, but what is ‘benign engagement? That has not been clarified,” Operations Manager of the Muslim Charities Forum, Omayma El Ella, said.

 Sukant Chandan, a London-based activist and journalist says the anti-terrorism legislation as it stands currently is part of the UK's strategy to sideline the Muslims in the society.

He went on saying the current policies are keeping the Muslims confused and they find themselves in a difficult situation. 

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