|
Muslims Discuss Civil Rights With Law Enforcement Officials
 |
|
Representatives of U.S. law enforcement agencies answer questions from U.S.
Muslims
|
By Ali Asadullah
SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 5 (IslamOnline) - Some 600 Northern California Muslims packed the Muslim Community Association of the San Francisco Bay Area (MCA) Thursday night to engage federal law enforcement officials in a discussion over civil rights and civil liberties as they apply to actions taken against American Muslims since September 11.
The event, hosted by the northern California chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), featured representatives from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of Justice and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). In addition, members of several civil rights organizations were present in order to inform the Muslim community of their mandates and services. The organizations represented included the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Lawyers Guild.
The evening opened with a short address by CAIR's national chairman Omar Ahmad, who expressed concern over law enforcement's tactics in investigating Muslims. "What we are concerned about is the way investigations are being handled," said Ahmad. "The way these things are being done is in a way to scare the community."
Ahmad specifically made reference to the recent raids in Virginia that were part of Operation Green Quest. According to CAIR's investigation of the raids, a double standard was applied by law enforcement in dealing with Muslims versus non-Muslim. In Ahmad's opinion, Green Quest represented an ongoing trend of profiling and the use of other discriminatory practices against Muslims.
While the law enforcement representatives present could not address Green Quest specifically as the operation was out of their jurisdiction, they were adamant about the ethical standards to which each of their offices adhered in all phases of investigation and prosecution.
"I wouldn't agree more … that anyone accused of crime should have their rights zealously defended," said Matthew Jacobs, an assistant attorney with the Department of Justice.
On the same issue of concerns over treatment, Martha Boersch, also an assistant attorney with the Department of Justice, noted, "I'm not aware of a case where these rights have been violated."
During the question and answer period, Boersch and Jacobs, along with Larry Medford of the FBI and David Still of the INS fielded queries regarding immigrant rights, status of detainees, details of due process and a host of other issues.
At the event's close the law enforcement representatives each took turns expressing their feelings on what Muslims can do to work with federal authorities and what law enforcement can learn from dialogue with the community.
"Have an open mind about law enforcement," implored Jacobs. "Most are people who are working hard, doing public service."
Boersch urged Muslims to be proactive in communicating concerns and suggestions to her office. "Educate us about your concerns," she said. "We do the best we can, but we don't do a good enough job."
And Medford recognized the potential for errors in his agency's operations. "The federal system is composed of honorable people … but we are people," he said. "It's very important that the FBI be held accountable. After all, we are human."
|
