PA MediaBy Sam Francis, political reporter & Christy CooneyBBC NewsMinisters 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.Ex-home secretaries warn against politicising extremismArchbishops urge caution on extremism redefinitionEarlier 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.”This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.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 enoughCritics 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 extremis …
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[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnPA MediaBy Sam Francis, political reporter & Christy CooneyBBC NewsMinisters 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.Ex-home secretaries warn against politicising extremismArchbishops urge caution on extremism redefinitionEarlier 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.”This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.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 enoughCritics 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 extremis …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]
