British National/Nazi Party Probed for Racism
The BNP has been given an unprecedented warning that it could face a legal injunction for racism unless it changes its rules within the next month.
The far-right party, which now has two seats in the European Parliament, has been warned it must take action to alter how it operates internally and externally.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission demanded it addressed its constitution, membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to the public.
It has called for written undertakings by July 20 that the set-up will be changed, amid fears the party could be discriminating on the ground of race and colour.
The intervention is believed to be the first time the EHRC has threatened such legal action, which could lead to fines or even possible imprisonment.
Under its current criteria, the BNP appears to restrict members to those regarded as particular 'ethnic groups' and exclude anyone who is not white, the Commission said.
'This exclusion is contrary to the Race Relations Act which the party is legally obliged to comply with,' it said in a statement.
'The Commission therefore thinks that the BNP may have acted, and be acting, illegally.'
The BNP website declares it is looking for new recruits but that all applicants need a membership number.
This could break anti-discrimination laws which state that non-membership of an organisation cannot be a reason to refuse someone a job.
The Commission also expressed concern elected BNP representatives did not intend to treat constituents and members of the public equally 'irrespective of colour'.
The BNP are nothing but an undercover, hiding-behind-smartass-rhetoric modern version of the Nazi's. I'm glad people are questioning them and their 'policies.'
SOURCE
The far-right party, which now has two seats in the European Parliament, has been warned it must take action to alter how it operates internally and externally.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission demanded it addressed its constitution, membership criteria, employment practices and provision of services to the public.
It has called for written undertakings by July 20 that the set-up will be changed, amid fears the party could be discriminating on the ground of race and colour.
The intervention is believed to be the first time the EHRC has threatened such legal action, which could lead to fines or even possible imprisonment.
Under its current criteria, the BNP appears to restrict members to those regarded as particular 'ethnic groups' and exclude anyone who is not white, the Commission said.
'This exclusion is contrary to the Race Relations Act which the party is legally obliged to comply with,' it said in a statement.
'The Commission therefore thinks that the BNP may have acted, and be acting, illegally.'
The BNP website declares it is looking for new recruits but that all applicants need a membership number.
This could break anti-discrimination laws which state that non-membership of an organisation cannot be a reason to refuse someone a job.
The Commission also expressed concern elected BNP representatives did not intend to treat constituents and members of the public equally 'irrespective of colour'.
The BNP are nothing but an undercover, hiding-behind-smartass-rhetoric modern version of the Nazi's. I'm glad people are questioning them and their 'policies.'
SOURCE