The British government on Thursday announced a new definition of extremism, as church leaders warned that extremism risks disproportionately impacting Muslim communities.
The new definition comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak warned earlier this month of an “alarming rise in extremist disorder and crime” that risked the country sliding into “mob rule”.
Mr Sunak's comments were made in a speech to the nation in Downing Street and follow regular pro-Palestinian protests in London.
Dozens of people marched to protest Israel's military response to the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, including anti-Semitic chants and banners, propaganda for banned organizations and assaults on emergency workers. was arrested.
Extremism is currently defined as “vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values,” such as “mutual respect and tolerance.”
According to the new definition, extremism is “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred, and intolerance.”
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The report said the ideology could be used to “deny or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, or to undermine, subvert or replace Britain's free parliamentary democracy and institutions of democratic rights.” If a group or individual does so, the group or individual can be considered an extremist.
An extremist is also considered an extremist if he or she “deliberately creates an enabling environment for others to achieve” the other two objectives.
The government said in a statement that the new definition is “narrower and more precise” than the pre-2011 definition.
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“We have set a high bar to capture only the most worrisome activity; it is not designed to silence those with personal, peaceful beliefs,” the group said.
Senior minister Michael Gove, who oversaw the new definition, said it would ensure the government did not “inadvertently provide a platform for those who seek to subvert democracy and deny the fundamental rights of others”. He said he would.
He said Britain was stronger as a result of its diversity, adding: “But our democracy and our values of inclusivity and tolerance are under challenge from extremists.
“To protect our democratic values, it is important to strengthen our commonalities and clearly and accurately identify the dangers posed by extremism,” he added.
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Media outlet Byline Times said the leaked draft plan, which it saw, also mentioned several prominent Muslim groups as well as far-right organizations.
Sunak's ruling Conservative Party has faced allegations of Islamophobia in recent weeks after its former deputy leader accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of having links to Islamists.
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The prime minister was also forced to apologize this week over reports of racist comments made by one of his party's biggest donors towards a prominent black British MP.
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, president of the Anglican Communion, warned that the new definition risks being divisive.
Mr Welby and Stephen Cottrell, the Church of England's de facto representative, said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the new definition “risks disproportionately targeting Muslim communities, where there are already heightened levels of hatred and abuse.” There is,” he said.
Mr Welby told BBC Radio on Wednesday that there was a risk of “hollowing out the centre, pushing people to one extreme or the other”, adding that this was “very dangerous”.
Mr Welby, a member of the House of Lords, has also criticized the government for plans to send asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda.
