Issue - meetings
Motions
Meeting: 08/07/2019 - Council (Item 18)
To debate the motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 41.
Members are asked to note that the motions submitted will be circulated as a supplementary paper in advance of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 41(c).
Additional documents:
- 16.2 Motion - Conservative Group, item 18 PDF 67 KB
- 16.3. Motion - Labour Group (2), item 18 PDF 98 KB
- 16.1a Amendment to Labour Group Motion, item 18 PDF 99 KB
- Webcast for Motions
Decision:
16.1 The following motion submitted by the Labour Group was approved:
Standing up to racism, discrimination and prejudice in Brent
This Council notes:
Brent Council adopted the definition of antisemitism in September 2017, including its examples, set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and now, seeks to adopt the definition of Islamophobia, including its examples, as set out by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims.
The charity Tell Mama reported that in the week after 50 innocent, Muslim worshippers were massacred in the Christchurch New Zealand terror attack, Islamophobicincidents increased by almost 600 per cent back in Britain.
This Council believes:
That words have consequences within political discourse.
We unequivocally condemn all forms of pernicious racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, pregnancy and maternity discrimination, ableism and sexism and reaffirm our commitment to fighting against them.
This Council resolves:
To adopt the APPG on British Muslims – Working Definition of Islamophobia as follows:
“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
Contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:
· Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of religion.
· Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group, such as, especially but not exclusively, conspiracies about Muslim entryism in politics, government or other societal institutions; the myth of Muslim identity having a unique propensity for terrorism, and claims of a demographic ‘threat’ posed by Muslims or of a ‘Muslim takeover’.
· Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim individuals, or even for acts committed by non-Muslims.
· Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against Muslims.
· Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’ (transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
· Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, e.g. loyalty tests.
· Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. the Prophet Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterize Muslims as being ‘sex groomers’, inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies.
· Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.
16.2 The following motion submitted by the Conservative Group was not approved:
Surcharge on diesel Vehicle Owners
This Council notes, with grave concern, the surcharges ... view the full decision text for item 18
Minutes:
Before moving on to consider the motions listed on the summons, the Mayor reminded members of the changes agreed last year to the way in which the debate on motions would be undertaken. He advised that a total of 30 minutes would be set aside for the consideration of all three motions submitted for debate, based on an initial allocation of 10 minutes per motion. Should the time taken to consider the first motion be less than 10 minutes he advised that the remaining time available would be split between the remaining motions on a rolling basis.
18.1 Motion from the Labour Group - Standing up to racism, discrimination and prejudice in Brent (adopting the definition of Islamophobia as set out by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims)
Prior to inviting Councillor Shahzad to move the first motion, the Mayor reminded Members that given the subject matter to be considered, the Council had a statutory duty to have “due regard” to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons who shared a protected characteristic and persons who did not. This was known as the public sector equality duty with the protected characteristics relevant to the motion including race and religion or belief. At the same time, he pointed out that Members would, however, be free to express their own political opinions during the debate.
The Mayor then invited Councillor Shahzad to move the motion submitted on behalf of the Labour Group.
Councillor Shahzad advised he was honoured to move the motion to oppose Islamophobia which, he felt, reinforced the message that the London Borough of Brent was a truly diverse, multi-cultural and multi-religious society and a borough that cared about and respected all its residents. He felt this aspect of the borough’s culture had also been reflected in the motion previously adopted to oppose anti-Semitism and was concerned to see any form of intolerance taking place in Brent, whether against Muslims or people of other faiths. Highlighting what he felt was the worrying advance of the far right, he pointed out how this was causing fear and concern within the Muslim community who wanted to be able to live a peaceful and productive life and convey the universal message of peace and friendship to all. The motion, he felt, highlighted the need for action to be taken in order to prevent the targeting of hate on people and communities based on their faith whilst also encouraging people to stand together in order to demonstrate that racism and hatred towards Muslims or any other faith would no longer be tolerated.
In commending the motion to Members, Councillor Shahzad believed its adoption would strengthen community relations and deliver the message that Brent was united in standing up for everyone regardless of their faith.
The Mayor then invited other Members to speak on the motion, with the following contributions received.
Councillor Dar, speaking in support of the motion, highlighted what he ... view the full minutes text for item 18