London, 2008 Jan 19, IRIB 
 
The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has expressed deep concern about the current double standards in applying the UK's anti-terror laws, saying that it was criminalizing the country's 2 million Muslim population.

In recent months we have seen Muslims found guilty for possessing DVDs that can be found free on the internet.

"This kind of criminalizing a community is the basis of alienation of suspect communities," IHRC said.

The London-based group, which has special consultative status with the UN's Economic and Social Council, also warned that Britain's police were misusing "excessive powers" at stop and search at airports.

"Young people are profiled, stopped and questioned for hours.

Ridiculous questions like 'how many times a day do you pray', 'what political party did you vote for', and 'what do you think of the Sudan teddy bear' case," IHRC chair Massoud Shadjareh said.

"When police are asked why they ask this kind of questions their response is that they have the right to. This treatment alienates the very young people the Government claims to be attracting to road shows," Shadjareh said.

He said the reality is that huge amount of resources are spent, while people are being alienated further due to misuse of existing powers, and all the government has to show for is a road show.

Ahead of plans for further legislation, the commission said it was calling on the government to "work with grass root organisations and to remove racism, Islamophobia and double standards from policies that should unite all against terrorism."