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I condemn in the strongest possible terms the horrific knife attack in Belfast on Monday night. This was a shocking and deeply disturbing act of violence. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, his loved ones and all those affected. I pray for his full and speedy recovery.
The public is entitled to expect safety in their communities, and people are right to ask serious questions whenever such incidents occur. Violent crime, regardless of who commits it, damages public confidence and must be met with the full force of the law. Anyone found responsible should be held fully accountable for their actions.
It is a matter of deep sadness that the suspect is reported to be a Sudanese refugee. As a Sudanese-born councillor, I know many people within the Sudanese community who are appalled by this attack and stand firmly with the victim. No decent person, regardless of their background, could justify such violence.
At the same time, it is important to remember a basic principle of fairness: one individual does not represent an entire community. The actions of a single criminal should not be used to judge thousands of law-abiding Sudanese people, refugees, migrants or British citizens who contribute positively to society every day.
People are entitled to debate immigration policy, border controls, asylum processes and public safety. These are legitimate issues in a democratic society. However, those discussions must be based on facts, evidence and reasoned debate, not anger directed at innocent people who bear no responsibility for this crime.
We should be careful not to allow those who seek to exploit tragedies for political purposes to spread division, hostility or hatred. History has shown that blaming entire communities for the actions of individuals solves nothing and only deepens social tensions.
Our focus should remain where it belongs: on the victim, on supporting the police investigation, on ensuring justice is done, and on maintaining the values of fairness, accountability and the rule of law that underpin our society.
We stand with the victim and his family.
We stand against all forms of violence.
And we stand together against prejudice, hatred and attempts to divide our communities.