Mayor urges international community to condemn US immigration ban

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will today urge political leaders from around the world to condemn President Trump’s “cruel, prejudiced and counterproductive” ban on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries entering the United States.

He will address ambassadors and senior dignitaries from more than 100 countries at a Diplomatic Reception at City Hall this evening, the largest ever gathering of its kind in the 17 year history of the mayoralty.

He will say the international community has “a responsibility to show moral leadership” and join him in speaking out against the ban. Representatives of five countries subject to the ban – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Yemen – are set to attend.

Sadiq will also reiterate his call for the government to rescind its offer of a full state visit for President Trump while the ban remains in place.

He is expected to say: “You don’t need me to tell you that there’s no contradiction between subscribing to Western values – of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speech – and being a Muslim.

“Nor do you need me to tell you that targeting people for no reason other than their faith or their country of birth is cruel, prejudiced and counterproductive.

“The Executive Order signed by President Trump will not only see the US turn its back on its obligation to refugees fleeing persecution at a time when great nations around the world should be doing more, not less – it risks playing straight into the hands of terrorists and extremists whose overriding goal is to divide people and deceive them into believing that Islam is incompatible with Western values.

“I’ve been clear that President Trump’s actions are unacceptable for a liberal, open democracy, like America, and we can’t be seen to be endorsing them in any way.

“As an international community, I believe we have a responsibility to show moral leadership and so my ask of you tonight is this: join me in speaking out against this ban and condemning it for what it really is – discriminatory, self-defeating and completely un-American.”

The Mayor’s Diplomatic Reception will be the best attended diplomatic event hosted by a London Mayor, with more than two-thirds of London’s diplomatic community represented.

The Mayor will tell invited guests they will continue to play a valuable role in the city following the EU referendum and thank them for their efforts in strengthening relationships between the capital and their respective countries.

He will also reassure them that, following the vote, London will remain open to the world for international collaboration, business, ideas, talent, investment and tourism.