Dangerous Precedents

LONDON: The only Pakistani origin peer in The House of Lords has expressed his fears that a US-led invasion on Iraq will set a dangerous precedent for pre-emptive attacks outside the ambit of the United Nations.
Lord Ahmed was referring to the India-Pakistan tensions. He said Israel could attack Lebanon and Syria while North Korea could attack South Korea – misusing this precedent.

He said by bypassing the United Nations route, the United States has “chosen to use force over international law” – setting a dangerous precedent for several other countries which have a score to settle with their neighbours.
He said the US, UK decision to wage war on Iraq against the wishes of most of the nations and peoples of the world had dented the authority of the United Nations and “undermined” it.

“How can only two permanent members of the Security Council decide to invade another country, without a meeting of the Security Council or its sanction?”

He said: “Many countries are waiting for such an opportunity: India can attack Pakistan over Kashmir; Israel can attack Lebanon and Syria; North Korea can attack South Korea; and there are many more.”
Lord Ahmed raised concerns about the safety of Muslim communities in Britain in case of war.

“There is real fear about the war among the Muslim communities in this country. They fear attack by racists and by the media.”
Lord Ahmed asked the minister what advice has been given to the police and the local authorities to protect minority communities during these difficult times?

He also asked “What advice has been given to the media regarding their attacks on Muslim communities?”

Citing instances of misinformation and insensitivity in the mainstream press, he said: “Such Islamophobic attacks increase day by day.”
Addressing the Lords, Lord Ahmed said: “My Lords, I have not spoken in this debate before for fear of being misinterpreted by the Islamophobic press as being anti-British or opposed to our Armed Forces.”

Lord Ahmed said while he did not believe that the present scenario is that of a clash of civilisations or an attack on Islam, “but I do believe that there are double standards in the application of UN resolutions”.
He criticised the selective application of UN resolutions. “People question whether all UN resolutions are applied in the same way. There are UN resolutions on Kashmir and on Israel/Palestine that have never been implemented.”

Lord Ahmed said the decision to attack Iraq did not have the backing of the United Nations and that it has been made by “a few policymakers in Washington”.
“I am not convinced that the case for war has been made, even though we have been dragged into it.
“Our prayers and thoughts go out to our soldiers and we pray for their safe return home.”