Press Release - 25 November 2004

Joint Eid/Diwali celebration for members of the Regen Matters Network

There is an "absolute need" for more ethnic minority people to become magistrates, according to Mr Nisar Raja, a justice of the peace in Bradford.

Mr Raja was speaking at a joint Eid/Diwali celebration for members of the Regen Matters Network, a group of South Asian people keen to play a greater role in how their communities are run by joining the governing bodies of schools, health services, transport authorities and other public organisations.

Mr Raja, who also runs an accountancy business in Bradford, has been a magistrate for 8 years. He said that South Asian people were under-represented on magistrates' benches and urged the audience to find out more by attending court sessions.

Mr Raja told the audience 'There is a need for 280 magistrates in Bradford - there are currently 220, so there is a need for more' He added ' To find out more why don't you attend a court sessions to see at first hand what the role of a magistrate is'

The celebration was held at the Bradford headquarters of QED-UK, the charity set up in 1990 to promote the educational, social and economic advancement of the UK's two million South Asian people.

QED-UK has established the Regen Matters Network, with support from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, in order to support public-spirited individuals from the South Asian communities who want to apply for positions with decision-making bodies.

Regen Matters Network attracted 13 new members at the event, taking total membership up to 77 against a target of 80.

Mr Raja told the audience about the experience and qualifications needed to join the bench and the application procedure. Bradford alone has a need for 60 more magistrates.

The audience also heard from Alan Rye, a solicitor at Bradford Law Centre, who explained that the centre exists to provide justice to people in the city who cannot afford to pay for it. It also lobbies to change unjust laws in areas such as discrimination and disability.

Mr Rye said the centre needs board members and promised "introductions, training and support for people who want to join and make a difference".

He added: "It is important that we get involved with all sections of the community and Regen Matters Now members can help. I urge people to talk to me and find out more about membership."

A third speaker, Fida Hussain of Wakefield Asian Welfare Association, spoke on behalf of his wife, Nazwana Younus, who could not attend. Ms Younus is a qualified solicitor and interpreter who helps women with communication skills and confidence building, assisting them in completing job applications so they can play a meaningful role in their community.

Mr Hussain's message, delivered on behalf of his wife, was that more Asian women should be involved in public life.

Dr Mohammed Ali, chief executive of QED-UK, said "The Regen Matters Network programme is now in its third year and many of our members are undertaking valuable work on policy-making bodies. But there is still a long way to go and I hope the speakers at this event encouraged more people to have the confidence to start sending in application forms.

"There is always plenty of help and support available at QED-UK - people only have to ask. We are here to help because this is a very important campaign for us.

For further details please contact Cheryl Clarkson on 01274 483267