Statements of Support 2012

We have received letters of support from the following:

• Prime Minister David Cameron Conservative Party
• Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg Liberal Democrats
• Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband Labour Party
• Mayor of London Boris Johnson Conservative Party
• London Assembly Jenny Jones Green Party
• General Secretary TUC Brendan Barber
• The Revd Mark Oakley, Cannon Treasurer of St Pauls
• The Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London
• The Most Revd Dr Rowen Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
• The Most Revd Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster
• Bharti Tailor, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain
• Ven. B. Seelawimala, Head of the London Buddhist Wihara and Sangha Nayake of Great Britain

Prime Minister David Cameron Conservative Party

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg Liberal Democrats

Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband Labour Party

Mayor of London Boris Johnson Conservative Party

London Assembly Member Jenny Jones Green Party

General Secretary TUC Brendan Barber

The Revd Mark Oakley, Canon Treasurer of St Paul’s, said: “Like many people in London I remember only too well those terrifying days in 1999 when London’s black, Asian and gay communities were targeted with bombs that killed, injured and terrified innocent people.

“All hate crimes seek to kill the human. Whether it is life that is taken away or the dignity of the human soul, these crimes against our human diversity cast a deep and fearful shadow over our life together.

“Too many are being injured, abused, bullied, humiliated and murdered simply because of their race, sexuality, religion, disability, gender identity or ethnicity. We must stand alongside those who suffer and are bereaved and do everything we can to stop the pain and abuse they endure.”

The Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, commented: “All of us carry seeds of hatred within ourselves. A spiritually evolved human life is developed by confronting what lies within us and so dispelling the darkness which otherwise we are tempted to project on to others. As we recommit ourselves to rebuilding a civilisation of love, our first responsibility is to accept the need for personal transformation and then to stand with those who are the objects of the irrational hatred of others.”

Messages of support from religious leaders

The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury:
“Hate crime is a fundamental challenge to an individual’s dignity and identity. As such is should have no possible place in a society that respects the dignity of all; and it should find no possible justification in any kind of religious belief.

“Christian faith has at its core the conviction that God values each of us infinitely; and it should spur us on to combat hatred and prejudice wherever we encounter them. My prayers are with you as you gather to remember all those who have been affected in any way by hate crimes. I share your hope that with vigilance and solidarity we may work together for a society free from such outrages.”

The Most Revd Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster:
“Wherever you live, work or travel in this great city of ours, our lives are enriched by the sheer diversity of the millions of people who live here. Each one is created by God and each of their lives is uniquely precious in God’s eyes. To some, life has become cheap, and distorted views have caused terrible things to befall innocent people who have become victims of what we now call hate crimes. Such hatred has no place in any faith or creed or in a civilized society.

“I pray that this special week will give practical help to those whose lives have been torn apart by hate crimes. I pray that we may all come to know the worth and dignity of all God’s sons and daughters.

“May the Lord Jesus Christ bless all your endeavours for this week and for the future.”

Bharti Tailor, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain:
“Hate crime can be overt or covert. Overt hate can mean death. Covert hate leads to the person dying inside.Our prayers are for all those who have suffered from it. We must do all we can to change hearts and minds to stop this behaviour, and truly build an equal world.”

Ven. B. Seelawimala, Head of the London Buddhist Vihara and Sangha Nayake of Great Britain:
Crimes arising from hatred are particularly serious and the misery they cause to all the parties involved can be devastating. Lives can be ruined and untold suffering, both mental and physical, can be the result. It is most important that we are all made aware of this, so that we can all develop a better understanding and deeper compassion for the perpetrators as well as the victims.

“In our Dhammapada it says: ‘All tremble at weapons; all fear death.
Comparing others with oneself, one should not slay, nor cause to slay’.” (v.129)