New extremism definition unveiled by government

Ministers have unveiled a new extremism definition under which certain 
groups will be blocked from government funding and meeting officials.

It will apply to, but not criminalise, groups that promote an ideology 
based on "violence, hatred or intolerance".

Communities Secretary Michael Gove said a surge in extremism since the 
Israel-Gaza war posed "a real risk" to the UK.

Civil liberties advocates, community groups and MPs have criticised recent 
government rhetoric on extremism.

Zara Mohammed, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, told BBC Newsnight 
the definition would lead to the "unfair targeting of Muslim communities".

The government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan 
Hall, has warned the new policy "could undermine the UK's reputation 
because it would not be seen as democratic".

It is not known which groups the government proposes to label as 
extremist, though it has promised to publish a list in the coming weeks 
and suggested Islamists and neo-Nazis will be targeted.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stood outside Downing 
Street and said there were "forces here at home trying to tear us apart".

Discussing pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place since the Hamas 
attacks in Israel, he said: "On too many occasions recently, our streets 
have been hijacked by small groups who are hostile to our values and have 
no respect for our democratic traditions."

Under the new definition, which comes into force on Thursday, extremism is 
"the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or 
intolerance, that aims to:

negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
undermine, overturn or replace the UK's system of liberal parliamentary 
democracy and democratic rights; or
intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the 
results in (1) or (2)."
The previous definition, introduced in 2011 under the Prevent strategy, 
described extremism as "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British 
values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and 
mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and belief".

The government says the new one is "narrower and more precise" and will 
help "clearly articulate" how extremism is "evidenced" in behaviours.

It also says there will be a "high bar" to being classed as extremist and 
the policy will not target those with "private, peaceful beliefs".

Organisations or individuals added to the list will not be criminalised, 
unlike terrorist groups. Instead, they will be barred from contact with 
government and will not be able to receive government funding.

Alongside the redefinition, a new unit - the Counter-Extremism Centre of 
Excellence - has been set up, to gather intelligence and identify 
extremist groups.

Groups and individuals labelled extremist have the right to seek 
reassessment and submit new evidence to a review.

If they still disagree, they can challenge the government's decision 
through a potentially costly judicial review.

Announcing the change, Mr Gove said "our values of inclusivity and 
tolerance are under challenge from extremists".

"In order to protect our democratic values, it is important both to 
reinforce what we have in common and to be clear and precise in 
identifying the dangers posed by extremism."

'Tinkering' not enough
Critics have warned a new definition could worsen community tensions and 
expose ministers to legal challenges if left too broad.

Mr Hall told the BBC: "Every attempt to update the definition of extremism 
has failed because it's never clear what you're trying to prevent by 
defining extremism."

"What we see… is a move away from people who are doing bad things, towards 
people who think bad things or have a bad ideology."

Azhar Qayum, CEO of Muslim Engagement and Development, said 
"delegitimising lawful dissent in this way is itself undermining liberal 
democratic principles" and that he had "placed the government on legal 
notice".

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner, who also serves as shadow 
communities secretary, said extremism was a "serious problem that needs 
serious action" and that "tinkering with a new definition is not enough".

"The government's counter-extremism strategy is now nine years out of 
date, and they've repeatedly failed to define Islamophobia," she said.

In an open letter published in the Guardian on Sunday, former home 
secretaries Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd urged the 
Conservatives and Labour to "work together to build a shared understanding 
of extremism and a strategy to prevent it that can stand the test of time, 
no matter which party wins an election".

"In the run-up to a general election, it's particularly important that 
that consensus is maintained and that no political party uses the issue to 
seek short-term tactical advantage," they said.

Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox and founder of Survivors 
Against Terror, who also signed the letter, said the new definition was 
"not the scorched earth policy that we feared a few weeks ago".

He added there were "some constructive elements" to it but that the 
government's approach had been "mismanaged and mishandled".

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-68556914


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