Britain’s Shoot-to-Kill Policy Alarming

Last week’s killing of a terrorist suspect in London has unleashed a fierce debate over the legitimacy of police actions. On Saturday, Britain’s Metropolitan Police confirmed the man had no connection to Thursday’s failed bombings in London and called the incident a “tragedy.”

However, this was little comfort to the family of the Brazilian-born Jean Charles de Menezes, 27. The electrician moved to Britain three years ago, and according to his cousin Alex, Alves had no history that would “make him run from police.”

Mr. Menezes’ family have expressed deep shock and have demanded that his body be returned to Brazil as soon as possible. Brazil’s foreign minister Celso Amorim is on his way to London to get an explanation from foreign secretary Jack Straw.

The fatal shooting came a day after four bombs failed to explode in three of London’s subway stations and on the No. 27 bus. The police intensified the hunt for the four suspects behind the attacks and apparently chased Mr. Menezes into the crowded subway car on suspicion of carrying explosives.

After tackling him to the ground, the plain-clothed officer shot Mr. Menezes five times in the head in front of terrified passengers.

A recipe for disaster

In only three weeks London has made a striking transition from “peace” to “war”, now resembling more a city under siege. In an unprecedented move, the police have been instructed to shoot anyone suspected of posing a threat to the public.

Such drastic measures are unheard of in the history of Britain’s police, who until now have not even carried guns. The move has been condemned by Muslim groups and human rights groups who have labelled the new policy a “recipe for disaster”.

“To give license to people to shoot to kill just like that, on the basis of suspicion, is very frightening,” Azzam Tamimi of the Muslim Association of Britain told BBC television.

“It is human lives that are being targeted here, whether by terrorists or in this case unfortunately by people who are supposed to be chasing or catching the terrorists,” he added.

According to Ahmed Versi, editor of Britain’s Muslim News, anyone is now at risk of being branded a “suspect” and can potentially be killed –- Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Those wearing long coats, backpacks and who look middle-eastern are prime targets.