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MI5 policy on Somali youths has gone ‘terribly wrong’
COMMUNITY organisations have claimed that the efforts of British intelligence agencies to recruit youth workers in Somali-based voluntary groups in Camden have seriously undermined anti-terrorism efforts.
Six youth workers at the Kentish Town Community Organisation (KTCO) were reported in the Independent newspaper last week as claiming they had been coerced by MI5 officers attempting to recruit them as informants.
The men, who are all British citizens and work in various roles at the Queen’s Crescent-based organisation, alleged that they had been held or deported at foreign airports, and told that they would be considered terrorist suspects unless they co-operated with MI5.
The chairman of KTCO, Sharhabeel Lone, who has raised concerns about approaches by the security services to youth workers before, said yesterday: “Instilling fear into communities at the expense of foresight and applying Stasi-era tactics rather than building bridges with the very communities that can make all the difference is counterproductive.
“This strategy has gone terribly wrong.”
The London Somali Youth Forum, which is also based in Kentish Town, issued a statement: “It is paramount that responsible authorities and figures act quickly to restore public confidence.
“A full-scale investigation of current counter-terrorism recruitment strategy is necessary while great emphasis is put on education and transparency.”
Board member Mohamed Hassan said he knew many people who “felt targeted in one way or another”, and called on MI5 to change tactics. He added: “This is not about MI5 working within the community – if MI5 wants to work with us, please come on board.
“Everyone here has the same values as every British citizen and wants to see people safe.”
MI5, which is the UK’s domestic anti-terrorist unit, has a policy of not responding to press enquiries. |
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