Britain's new approach

The UK has long been known for its liberal and humane approach to those who are stalked by fear of oppression and persecution in their home countries aside from welcoming immigrants in general. For centuries, the UK has been a shining example for the world when it came to being the last refuge of those seeking asylum. Of all of the European countries, the UK was the one that had done the best job of creating a thriving, vibrant multi-racial and multicultural society.

This is why it is with a heavy heart that we have received the news that in the aftermath of the July 7 bombings the British government has decided that to reverse their age-old policies of openness and inclusion. Some of the proposals that have been set forth by the PM are hard to accept, not merely in their stringency, but also in terms of their broad sweep and consequent vulnerability to abuse.

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We, of course, realise that the events of July 7 and immediately thereafter form the backdrop for these changes, and it was to be expected that some quite radical shifts in policy and outlook would be made. But while Mr. Blair's policies may achieve success, it seems to us that in going so far they run the risk of deeply fracturing British society and doing more harm than good.

We would thus like to raise a word of caution that the proposed measures not be enacted until after deep deliberation on the physical and psychological impact they are likely to have.

And while the British authorities have acted in an exemplary manner so far, we would like to also sound the warning that they must continue to keep distinct Muslims as a whole from the fractional minority who would commit acts of terror.

The spectre of terrorism has created a dilemma for free societies the world over: how to protect one's citizens and at the same time safeguard civil liberties and liberalism. This is a global problem, not just one the British are facing. The real tragedy is that it seems as though the axe is falling on liberalism everywhere.

We are all diminished today, but we must strive to recover the status quo-ante of sanity as nearly as possible. Liberalism must triumph.