London – A new study ‘Leaving the War on Terror: A progressive Alternative to Counter-Terrorism Policy’ is a timely call for a fundamental re-think of the premises of the failing ‘War on Terror’ and the ‘national security’ debate in Britain. In this endeavour, it is vital that communities that have been impacted most sharply by the policies of the War on Terror must be central to finding solutions.

The report, co-authored by Ruth Blakeley, Ben Hayes, Nisha Kapoor, Arun Kundnani, Narzanin Massoumi, David Miller, Tom Mills, Rizwaan Sabir, Katy Sian and Waqas Tufail, presents a damning indictment of the domestic and international policies and practices that have defined the past near-two decades in Britain.

The report highlights the use of torture, the emergence of a two tier justice system, expanded powers of citizenship deprivation, black propaganda through RICU and an unaccountable security service, as being of particular concern. CAGE has campaigned on these issues for the best part of the last 15 years and can attest to their devastating impact on communities first hand.

Asim Qureshi, CAGE Research Director said:

“A one-track national security policy has done little to alleviate the threat of violence domestically or abroad. Since 11 September 2001, the levels of violence have only dramatically increased.”

“This report by a group of seasoned academics, presents a real departure from the fallacious logic of the War on Terror, and provides a real pathway to a more secure future for all. The short-term approach of relying on racist profiling and securitising policies must end, and rather an approach that is more trusting of communities must be taken.”

 

Photo by Hugo Sousa on Unsplash

 

(NOTE: CAGE represents cases of individuals based on the remit of our work. Supporting a case does not mean we agree with the views or actions of the individual. Content published on CAGE may not reflect the official position of our organisation.)