Shami Chakrabarti (Photo: Flickr/Creative Commons)
Ahmed J Versi
Speaking at the launch of her independent report into anti-Semitism, other forms of racism including Islamophobia, Shami Chakrabarti said that while “there is too much clear evidence of minority hateful or ignorant attitudes” in the Labour Party, it “is not overrun by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or other forms of racism.”
She said that words like “Zio” and “Paki” should have no place in Labour Party discourse. Former Director of human rights group, Liberty, also said that “racial or religious tropes and stereotypes about any group of people” should also have no place in the party.
She said members should resist the use of Hitler, Nazi and Holocaust metaphors, the report was launched by Leader of Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, on June 30. “Under my leadership, the Labour Party will not allow hateful language or debate, in person, online or anywhere else. We will aim to set the gold standard, not just for anti-racism, but for a genuinely welcoming environment for all communities and for the right to disagreement as well”, he said.
Corbyn was clear that he will not allow any form of racism in his party. “Racism is racism is racism. There is no hierarchy – no acceptable form of it.”
He said that “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu Government than our Muslim friends are for those of various self-styled Islamic states or organisations. Nor should Muslims be regarded as sexist, antisemitic or otherwise suspect, as has become an ugly Islamophobic norm. We judge people on their individual values and actions, not en masse.”
Former Director of human rights group Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti was asked by the Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn to lead the inquiry into anti-Semitism, all forms of racism including Islamophobia in the Labour Party on May 16.
She was advised by two deputy chairs, Director of the Pears Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism, Prof David Feldman, and former Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords, Baroness Royall. Chakrabarti collected evidence from all communities, including from members of the minority communities. The inquiry was set up after the allegations of anti-Semitism against Livingstone and Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West.
