LONDON (AP) – The British government released its official definition of “extremism” on Thursday, saying:
LONDON (AP) – The British government on Thursday announced its official definition of “extremism” and said groups labeled with that label will be banned from receiving government funding.
It is unclear who will be on the list, and critics say branding nonviolent groups as extremists could undermine free speech.
The government defines extremism as “the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance” and the destruction of the rights and freedoms of others, or as “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance” or “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance”, or “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance”, or “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance”, or “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance”, which destroys the rights and freedoms of others, or “the UK's free parliamentary democracy and democratic rights”. “to undermine, overturn, or replace the system of
The government did not give examples of extremist groups, but Communities Secretary Michael Gove said far-right and Islamic extremists who seek to separate Muslims from the rest of society and cause division within Muslim communities pointed out the threat.
Islamic groups and civil liberties groups said they feared the definition would be used unfairly against Muslims.
“This proposed definition may not be applied consistently,” said Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosque and Imam Advisory Committee.
He told the BBC: “If people were left to adapt the definition of extremism to their own whims and call someone an extremist, it would create huge divisions in our society. ” he said.
The announcement comes two weeks after Chancellor Rishi Sunak gave an unusual televised address outside 10 Downing Street to condemn “a shocking rise in extremist chaos and crime”, linking it to the Israel-Hamas war. I was disappointed. Reports of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim abuse in the UK have soared since Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, which sparked Israel's invasion of Gaza.
Massive pro-Palestinian protests have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to central London calling for a ceasefire. The protests were overwhelmingly peaceful, although there were dozens of arrests for signs and chants suggesting support for Hamas, an organization banned in Britain. The pro-ceasefire march also included members of the Jewish community, although Jewish organizations and many MPs say the large marches create an intimidating atmosphere for Jewish Londoners. .
Mr Gove said the new definition would not criminalize anyone, “not restrict freedom of speech” or aim to stop protests.
“Today's definition applies only to governments and makes clear that these organizations are independent and cannot benefit from access to governments and their funds,” he said.
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