E/CN.4/2002/24 page 21 authorities in terms of assistance; some people assert that Muslims and, in particular, Pakistanis, “get everything” at the expense of Whites. Simultaneously, the Asian communities, particularly the Muslim community, are concerned that racism and Islamophobia continue to blight their lives, resulting in harassment, discrimination and exclusion. They argue that they do not receive favourable or even equal treatment, and that their needs are marginalized by decision-makers and public services leaders. These widely held, conflicting views are entrenched and endemic and, as a consequence, different ethnic groups are increasingly segregating themselves from each other and retreating into “comfort zones” made up of people like themselves. Education in self-segregated schools is a reflection of this state of affairs. 46. Many problems affect ethnic relations in the district and may well explain the riots. Segregation, and even self-segregation seems to be a major factor. For instance, inner-city Bradford is seen as dominated by Muslims. There is resentment towards the Asian community on the part of sections of the white population, and Islamophobia is regarded as prevalent in schools and the white community and affects how the Asians, especially Muslims, are regarded and treated. There is seen to be “virtual apartheid” in many secondary schools and a victimization of minorities in largely monocultural schools, whether Asian, White or Black. Self-segregation is driven by fear of others, the need for safety from harassment and violent crime, and the belief is that it is the only way to promote, retain and protect faith and cultural identity and affiliation. Different communities seek to protect their identities and cultures, discouraging and avoiding contact with other communities and institutions. Community leaders tend to re-enforce their power base by maintaining the segregation. Communication between the different communities is, by and large, very scarce, which perpetuates misconceptions and perceptions held by the communities about each other. 47. Other circumstances affecting the situation are widespread exclusion from decision-making of ordinary people; a low level of minority ethnic representation on decision-making bodies and executive boards with influence and impact; and lack of consultation with minority ethnic communities on matters concerning them. The police have been accused of being racist and police methods cause resentment and perpetuate stereotypes and mythology. According to the report, there are conflicting styles of policing. Top-down management appears to encourage anti-racist approaches while the rank and file remain fearful of being called “racist” and damaging their career prospects if they tackle black and Asian offenders. 48. The general feeling among government representatives seems to be that the riots were a law and order issue, rather than a racial issue. Home Secretary Blunkett is taking measures to come to terms with the violence. He informed the media that an interdepartmental ministerial group looking at the wider problems would publish preliminary details of its findings shortly. In addition, he said that projects running in the area over the summer would attempt to bring together young people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said a Cabinet minister could be responsible for pulling together policy in urban and suburban areas across the country. He suggested that public order legislation be looked at with a view to making it less possible for people to exercise their “rights” when all they were seeking was to provoke tension and racism in urban communities. Muslim leaders are pressing for a full inquiry into the causes of the riots in Bradford and other towns in the north of England. They are also calling for new laws to combat religious discrimination.