New definition of extremism unveiled despite fears it could ‘slander the wrong people’

The government has unveiled a new definition of extremism despite warnings it could have a “chilling effect” on free speech.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove updated the definition as part of efforts to combat Islamist and far-right extremism. Israel-Hamas War.

The new definition published today describes extremism as “promoting or advancing an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance” which aims to “deny or undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms of others” or “undermine, overturn or replace the Liberal Parliamentary Democracy and Democratic Rights”.

It also includes those who “deliberately create a permissive environment for others to achieve” those goals.

The government also intends to publish a list of groups classified as “extremist”, which will be banned from meeting ministers or other elected officials and unable to receive public funding, so they do not have a platform that can be “legitimized”. their relationship with the government.

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Ministers insist the new definition will not affect free speech, but critics have expressed concerns that the updated version could end up punishing “the wrong people”.

“Divide and conquer approach”

Miriam Kates, co-leader of the influential New Conservative group, said at Prime Minister’s Questions on Monday that broadening the definition of extremism could have a “chilling effect on free speech”.

“By separating the definition of extremism from actual violence and harm, we risk criminalizing people with a wide range of legitimate views and having a chilling effect on free speech.”

Fellow Conservative Baroness Warsi also criticized the move, calling it a “divide and rule approach” aimed at “stoking division and encouraging distrust”.

On Wednesday, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York warned that the definition could “slander the wrong people and could risk more division”.

At the same time, a A coalition of Muslim organizations told Sky News They argue that this definition “marks an attack on civil liberties by attacking law-abiding individuals and groups who oppose government policies and labeling them ‘extremists'”.

Not meeting “high standards” for defined groups

Despite criticism, the government believes the definition outlined today is narrower and more precise than a previous version published in 2011.

It is intended to cover behavior that does not constitute a crime but is still deemed “unacceptable” by the government – raising concerns that groups such as trans rights campaigners, gender critical organizations and even anti-House of Lords campaigners could be targeted by the new troubled by the definition.

By contrast, the 2011 version of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, Prevent, described extremism as “overt or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual freedoms and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs” and ” Calling for the death of members of our armed forces.”

The Department of Housing and Communities Upgrading (DLUHC) said the new version “clearly states that extremism involves the advancement or promotion of ideologies based on violence, hatred or intolerance – a high standard that only covers the most concerning activities”.

“This is not intended to silence those who hold private, peaceful beliefs, nor does it affect free speech, which will always be protected,” the statement said.

‘Our democracy and values ​​are being challenged’

Mr Gove, who oversaw the development of the new definition, said action was needed because “our democracy and our values ​​of inclusion and tolerance are being challenged by extremists”.

“Following the attacks on October 7, the pervasiveness of extremist ideologies has become increasingly clear and poses a real risk to the safety of our citizens and our democracy,” he said.

“This is the work of far-right and Islamic extremists who seek to separate Muslims from the rest of society and sow division within Muslim communities.

“They seek to radicalize individuals, strip people of their full rights, suppress free speech, incite hatred, and undermine our democratic institutions.

“Today’s measures will ensure that the government does not inadvertently provide a platform for those who subvert democracy and deny others the basic rights of others.”

Groups that meet the new definition of “extremism” can only appeal against their inclusion by launching a judicial review in the High Court.

However, because the guidance is non-statutory, it does not give police or other law enforcement powers and will only influence decisions on government involvement and funding.

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Thursday’s announcement comes amid the following backdrop: Incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are on the rise Hamas has killed about 1,200 people and taken more than 230 hostages since the Oct. 7 attack.

Since then, health authorities in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip say more than 31,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader and shadow communities secretary, said: “This is a serious issue that requires serious action and a new definition will not be enough.

“The government’s counter-extremism strategy is now nine years out of date and they have repeatedly failed to define Islamophobia.

“Any suggestion that the government has been engaging with groups they now identify as extremists raises serious questions about why it took so long to take action.”