The Guardian  reports:

In its ruling, the PCC said it recognised that blog posts were often intended to be provocative and prompt debate, but said it expected “the same standards in newspaper and magazine blogs that it would expect in comment pieces that appear in print editions”.

Read the full article in the guardian here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar/29/rod-liddle-pcc-spectator

The Sikh Federation (UK) in association with the Sikh Channel and Operation Black Vote has invited leading politicians from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green Parties to take part in high profile BBC Question Time style programmes – Sikh Vote 2010.

Representatives from each of the mainstream political parties are expected to take part with representatives from the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and UK Independence Party also being on the Panel.

Issues of importance to Sikhs in the UK will be discussed so that individuals can make a well informed voting decision at the General Election. The issues range from fair representation in public life, the 2011 Census, protecting and promoting the Sikh identity in the UK and EU, freedom to wear the five articles of faith, human rights concerns etc.

These issues and many more need to be on the radar of political parties and MPs seeking the votes of Sikhs. Sikhs born in the UK comprise around two-thirds of all UK Sikhs and are becoming particularly mindful of who will best represent their needs and deliver on their promises.

There will be weekly events in five major cities in lecture theatre style venues at UK Universities.

You need to register in advance with the Sikh Federation (UK) by emailing your name, full address and the event in which you wish to participate to info@sikhfederation.com. There will be a restriction on audience numbers so please book your place as soon as possible.

A Sikh Federation (UK) representative will chair each of the events. All questions to be asked will be based on suggestions from the audience. Feel free to email suggested questions to info@sikhfederation.com.

Refreshments will be provided to members of the audience and Panel members between 2.00-2.30pm. The Sikh Federation (UK) will be working with University Sikh Societies and local Gurdwaras to ensure the events are a success. The programmes are expected to be televised on the Sikh Channel (Sky 840).

The Sikh Federation (UK) has today lodged a judicial review claim against the ONS for not including a ‘Sikh’ ethnic question tick-box in the 2011 Census.

The 17-page pre-action letter issued to the ONS by Bindmans, a top law firm specialising in human rights and discrimination with nationally recognised leading experts, asserts the decision not to include an ethnic tick-box in the 2011 Census, and the decision-making process leading up to it, is unlawful.

The letter points out serious limitations in the Equality Impact Assessment and prioritisation exercise carried out by the ONS.

The ONS is specifically accused of:
a) failing to gather or commission research that would have provided them with the information needed to make a considered decision;
b) failing to consider relevant information that was already available to them prior to both exercises; and
c) considering irrelevant or flawed information.

The letter states: “ONS’s failure to gather and consider relevant information has led them to reach inadequate and incorrect conclusions which are unsupported by facts.”

“Substantial under-counting of the Sikh population, and its implications in terms of equality monitoring and the provision of services, is an issue of serious concern within the Sikh community.”

The letter concludes:

“There can be no doubt that failure to include Sikhs in the ethnic category of the Census disadvantages them by comparison with ethnic groups who are included. The omission of Sikhs renders them invisible as an ethnic group. The invisibility of Sikhs means that their distinct needs are overlooked in terms of the provision of services and equality monitoring. At its lowest, this means that public authorities cannot identify the needs of Sikhs, or the disadvantages suffered by them, and cannot therefore promote equality of opportunity or eliminate discrimination.”

The ONS will have 14 days to provide a response.

Press Release: For immediate release
One Society Many Cultures welcomes the letter published in today’s Guardian which is signed by over 30 prominent people from different sections of society.
Letter and signatories in full:
“We are concerned by the rise of Islamophobia, the negative coverage of Muslims in the media, the violent street mobilisations of extreme rightwing organisations like the English Defence League, and the rising electoral support for the British National party (The battle for Barking, Weekend, 13 March). Following Channel 4′s recent inflammatory documentary, Britain’s Islamic Republic, which saw concentrated attacks on the East London Mosque, the English Defence League marched through central London with placards including the demand ‘Close the East London Mosque now’.
The East End of London is not new to having its communities attacked by fascists and the media. The 1930s saw the Battle of Cable Street when Oswald Mosley’s blackshirts attempted to march into the Jewish community in the area. We cannot allow this terrible history to repeat itself. Further, the documentary, and articles since, have attacked the participation in politics by the Muslim community. We cannot stand by and watch this continue without remark or action.
In the runup to the general election, all parts of the population should be actively encouraged to exercise their votes. That is democracy. We welcome the work of organisations who work to this end. We call for solidarity and support for those organisations that work to encourage political participation from all sections of society, including Muslims, and condemn those who seek to undermine it.”

Ken Livingstone
Bonnie Greer
Dr Abdul Bari Secretary general, Muslim Council of Britain
Brendan Barber General secretary, TUC
Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC
Dr. Edie Friedman Executive director, Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Diane Abbott MP
Neil Jameson Executive director, London Citizens
Jagtar Singh Sikh Secretariat
Tony Woodley Joint general secretary, Unite the Union
Bruce Kent
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
Professor Eric Hobsbawm
Louise Christian Christian Khan solicitors
Billy Hayes General secretary, Communication Workers Union
Rabbi Lee Wax
Anas Altikriti Spokesperson, British Muslim Initiative
Caroline Lucas MEP
Professor Avi Shlaim
Lord Nazir Ahmed
Kate Hudson Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Andrew Stunell MP
Ismail Patel Co-ordinator, YouElect
Claude Moraes MEP
Rev. Alan Green Chair, Tower Hamlets Interfaith forum
George Galloway MP
Musleh Faradhi Central president, Islamic Forum Europe
Jean Lambert MEP
Salma Yaqoob Leader, Respect party
Jenny Jones AM
Steve Hart Regional secretary, Unite London Region
Andrew Murray Chair, Stop the War
Bell Ribeiro-Addy NUS black students officer
Dave Prentis General Secretary, Unison
Sabby Dhalu Joint secretary, Unite Against Fascism

Original letter as published in The Guardian

EDM 1079 – Muslims in Britain :

“That this House opposes the increased demonisation of Muslims in sections of the media; expresses its deep concern at the recent visit to the House of Lords by the far right politician Geert Wilders; condemns the English Defence League demonstration outside Parliament in support of Geert Wilders and their slogans and placards inciting hatred, such as their demand for the closure of the East London Mosque, that will only lead to a climate of fear, division and disharmony; welcomes the participation and contribution of Muslims in British society, including in politics; believes that the full participation of all communities in the forthcoming general election is in the interests of democracy.”

Please ask your MP to sign EDM 1079 by clicking here.

The motion follows rising concerns about negative portrayal of Muslims in sections of the media and anti-Muslim demonstrations by extreme right wing groups such as the English Defence League, which recently marched on Parliament demanding the closure of the East London Mosque. If they had singled out a Church or Synagogue, there would rightly be an outcry.

We believe the targeting of communities in this way is creating a climate of fear and division, and undermines civil liberties and the right to freedom of expression. The motion welcomes the contribution of Muslim communities and their full participation in British society, including in politics.