Expert: The essence of the new definition is illiberal, and attempts to suppress the participation of Muslim minorities in Britain in political life (Reuters)
London -
The British government's new definition of extremism sparked a lot of controversy among politicians and human rights activists, after Rishi Sunak's conservative government decided to issue a new definition of extremism, on the basis of which organizations and institutions will be classified as whether they are extremist or not.
Today, Saturday, Minister of State for Economic Development, Housing and Communities Michael Gove announced before members of the House of Commons (Parliament) the new government’s plan to confront what it calls “extremism,” which targets Islamic institutions and others defending justice for Palestine, along with institutions from the extreme right.
Despite all the warnings issued by human rights activists and former officials in the field of combating extremism, Sunak's government insisted on launching this controversial plan, which many believe is aimed at restricting the work of institutions supporting Palestine, which stand behind the crowds and organizing demonstrations demanding an end to the aggression against Gaza.
Loose definition
According to the government’s new definition, extremism is “the promotion or advocacy of an ideology based on violence, hatred, or intolerance, with the aim of
Revoking or destroying the basic rights of other citizens.
Undermining, disdaining or seeking to overturn the UK's system of democracy, liberalism and democratic rights.
Striving to create an environment that helps others achieve the aforementioned goals.”
This definition differs from the definition adopted in Britain since 2011, which used to say that “a person or group cannot be labeled extremist, except if they express it explicitly or by performing actions that contradict British values, related to democracy, the rule of law, individual freedom, mutual respect, and respect for religious diversity.” And the cultural.”
According to the new definition, any institution that is labeled extremist will not have the right to appeal this decision, and all government employees and government institutions will be prevented from dealing with it, engaging in it, or participating in its activities.
Secretary of State Michael Gove announced a preliminary list of institutions that will be labeled as extremist, including Nazi organizations and others belonging to the extreme right, while he said that he had put on the watch list institutions that are all Islamic, and it concerns the “CAGE” organization, which works in the field of defending... Victims of Islamophobia and victims of the War on Terror, as well as the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB).
A multi-religious peace march in London attempts to overcome divisions resulting from high levels of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Britain (Reuters)
An attempt to silence
For his part, the head of the “Friends of Al-Aqsa” Foundation, Ismail Patel, whose foundation is considered one of the largest contributors to organizing pro-Palestine demonstrations in Britain, believes that “the purpose of this plan is to silence us, by imposing this broad and questionable definition of extremism, and this confirms that this government “It is moving in an oppressive and totalitarian direction that rejects any dissenting opinion, and this explicitly threatens the foundations of British democracy, which is built on respect for the pluralism of opinions and freedom of expression.”
Patel considered - in his conversation with Al Jazeera Net - that "the British government has lost all its cards to prevent support campaigns in support of the Palestinians, denouncing the genocide they are being subjected to in the Gaza Strip," adding that "its step is evidence of its failure to convince British public opinion of the arguments it presents in support of the occupation." “Israel, and this is evident in the increasing amount of support and its continuation over the past months.”
As news spread that his organization was among the organizations threatened by the government's new plan on extremism, Patel stressed that "the government is trying to intimidate supporters of the Palestinian cause by labeling them as extremists and supporting terrorism. We will work to reject this definition, which aims primarily to restrict Islamic organizations, and we will resort to the judiciary."
He expressed his determination to continue the crowd's efforts to demonstrate "in support of Palestine, and in rejection of Israel's continuation of its campaign of genocide against innocents. I believe that we can convince British public opinion of that, as our support base is expanding."
Suppression of solidarity with Palestine
According to Professor John Ellwood, an expert in policies to combat extremism and terrorism at the University of Nottingham, the government will try, through this definition, to confront the pro-Palestine student movement, and the matter will not be limited only to organizations. He said, “The government will try to prevent pro-Palestine student demonstrations by imposing this definition.”
He stressed that the government "is trying to suppress and restrict the civil movement in support of the Palestinians, which has grown, especially among students, in an attempt by the government to impose its perception and vision on opinions that differ from it."
The British academic was surprised by the government’s definition of extremism, saying, “Although it claims to protect British liberal democracy, it is, in essence, an illiberal definition that attempts to suppress the participation of Muslim minorities in Britain in political life, and threatens their representation in public debate, and this constitutes a threat to British democracy.” “Based primarily on this diversity, this could extend to restricting other social demonstrations and movements, such as the movement against climate change.”
Professor Elwin expressed his fears that this definition would pose “a major threat to participation in British political life and allowing opposition voices to express their opinions freely.”
Demonstrators in London against the Israeli aggression on Gaza carry a banner accusing Biden and Sunak of being partners in the crime alongside Netanyahu (Reuters)
A failed attempt
For its part, the Cage Foundation responded strongly to the new government's plan to combat extremism, stressing that it will resort to the judiciary to challenge this plan, which it described as "a failed attempt and a continuation of the government's failure to combat real extremism, despite the many programs and plans."
In a statement to Al Jazeera Net, the institution - which Minister Michael mentioned was one of the institutions at risk of being classified as extremist - said that it rejects the new government’s plan, “because it will only lead to the use of the repressive powers of the state, without any legal procedures to appeal these decisions, in There was an absence of any judicial oversight.”
The Foundation stressed that it will continue to "engage in political activity, protest, and direct work for the public good, outside the narrow restrictions imposed by this new definition."
Source: Al Jazeera