LEADING ACADEMICS BACK THE FBA CAMPAIGN

On 18th April the extradition hearing for Babar Ahmad will resume. The United States is seeking his extradition for alleged support for terrorism. Although Babar is a UK citizen, no court in this country will hear the supposed evidence against him or be able to judge his innocence or guilt. Instead, under an extradition act that has never received proper parliamentary scrutiny, Babar is facing extradition to the United States to face charges that will never be heard in this country.

We are scholars in the fields of human rights and the politics of race and discrimination. We believe that the Extradition Act 2003 is a serious attack on human rights and threatens to further damage community relations in this country. Without the requirement to present a case before requesting extradition, the US is able to accuse UK citizens and residents of all manner of heinous crimes without ever producing evidence. Such allegations may be based on supposed information extracted through torture at Guantanamo Bay or other illegal prisons. Babar Ahmad is a prominent activist in the anti-war movement. He has been detained and brutalised by the police, yet he faces no charges in this country. The Extradition Act deprives the people of this country of the protection of a proper trial if they are deemed to be enemies of the United States . It is an agreement that is designed to be abused, and it can only add to the sense of vulnerability felt by Muslims, minorities and political activists at this time. The Extradition Act must be repealed, or we have lost the right to a fair hearing.

Dr Gargi Bhattacharyya, University of Birmingham.

Professor Bill Bowring, London Metropolitan University.

Dr Avtar Brah, Birkbeck College, University of London.

Dr Max Farrar, Leeds Metropolitan University.

Professor John Gabriel, London Metropolitan University.

Professor Michael Keith, Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Dr Gail Lewis, University of Lancaster.

Professor Tariq Modood, University of Bristol.

Dr Karim Murji, Open University, Milton Keynes.

Dr Charlie Owen , Institute of Education , University of London.

Professor John Rex , University of Warwick , Coventry.

Professor John Solomos, City University, London.