Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments on Sharia Law:
“The Archbishop’s thinking here is muddled and unhelpful. As far as I am aware no serious body of Muslim opinion supports the idea of special treatment, or exemption from the law of the land based on some vague 'conscientious objection'. Raising this idea in this way will give fuel to anti-Muslim extremism and dismay everyone who is working towards a more integrated society.
“It is perfectly legitimate for the Archbishop to want a sober debate about the extent to which people of faith - be they Muslim, Jewish or Christian - have their special practices recognised by the law. It is also right that our law should become more inclusive and recognise the diversity of modern Britain - allowing banks to offer Sharia compliant financial products for example.
“However, his implication that British courts should treat people differently based on their faith is divisive and dangerous. It risks removing the protection afforded by law, for example, to children in custody cases or women in divorce proceedings.
“There is a fundamental principle here – when you appear before a court in Britain you appear as a citizen, equal to any other and you should be treated equally to any other. There can be no opt outs. If we abandon that principle, the first people who would suffer would be ethnic minority citizens.
“Follow the logic of this extreme multiculturalism through and where do we end up? With a group of white Christians in Barking and Dagenham deciding they had a conscientious objection to non-white Muslims in the their neighbourhoods - and seeking the support of the courts?
“This is the opposite of what modern multiculturalism should mean. I don't doubt the Archbishop's desire to accommodate diversity, but we cannot do so at the expense of our common values.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission will enforce equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It will also give advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.
For more information contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission Media Office on 02031170251 / 02031170242, out of hours 07767272818.