Save The Family HomeUpdate 08/11/11 - Opposition to collective punishment of Farooqi family gathers pace - 10,000-strong petition delivered to CPS A Manchester family faces eviction from their home in Longsight. If the police are successful, a family with a young baby and an eight year old child will be made homeless, their home seized, and the proceeds of the sale given over the Magistrates Court. Father Munir Farooqi was recently convicted on terrorism charges following an undercover police operation. CDs and booklets were the only material evidence provided. Mr Farooqi’s son Harris, speaking outside the CPS Offices last week, said 'we believe a miscarriage of justice has occurred'. Campaigners handed over a 10,000-strong petition calling on the 'collective punishment' to be stopped. Harris, who lives at the house with his mother and other members of his family, and who was himself acquitted of a charge of preparing for an act of terrorism, said: “I have been through hell for the past two years. I cannot believe what the police are doing to me and my family." “There are five adults and two children living at the house. We are all innocent of anything and my father is appealing his conviction. This has been our family home for years and I feel so sad that my mother and family have to go through this nightmare. We just want to live in peace and want the CPS to reconsider its application for the forfeiture of our home.” His sister Zulaikha added: “My daughter is only a few months old. She is innocent as we all are. We never expected this from the police.” Nahella Ashraf, who is helping to co-ordinate the campaign, said "This is attempt to use legislation to seize a family home. It is not a coincidence that they are trialling this legislation by attacking a Muslim family in Manchester. If they are successful they will no doubt try to evict the families of people with convictions arising from the riots. That was the threat made when David Cameron recently visited Manchester." When asked whether he thought the campaign would win, Harris told Socialist Worker, "When a person has committed no crime he always wins". The CPS are soon due to decide whether to take the case to court for hearing early next year. The Save The Family Home campaign is at an early stage but already it has won support from local churches, mosques and the wider community. |
Click here for the initial press release
Click here to reach the Save The Family Home website Click here to download a hard copy of the petition. Please print, collect signatures and return ASAP. Or, click here to sign the online petition. Video: Press TV reportVideo: presenting the petition to the CPS
|